The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a final seven-day summons to officials of the six Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils over unresolved audit queries involving about N100 billion. This decision was made after the six area council chairmen failed to appear before the committee to respond to questions arising from audit reports on their financial activities. The chairmen had requested to appear on September 22, 2026, but neither appeared nor sent representatives to answer the lawmakers' questions.
The affected councils are Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. The audit queries include about N7.65 billion in outstanding liabilities recorded against the six councils in the 2021 Auditor-General's report. The liabilities cover unremitted pension deductions, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Value Added Tax (VAT), Withholding Tax (WHT), and unpaid obligations to contractors. AMAC accounted for about N2.19 billion, followed by Bwari with N1.49 billion, Kwali N1.46 billion, Gwagwalada N1.01 billion, Kuje N892.2 million, and Abaji N593.8 million.
PAC Chairman, Bamidele Salam, stated that the committee had repeatedly given the councils opportunities to respond to the queries but they continued to disregard its invitations and requests for documents. He noted that the latest summons would serve as the final opportunity for the councils to appear and provide explanations on the financial issues raised against them. The committee had previously directed the Directors of Personnel Management, Directors of Finance, and Heads of Audit of the six councils to appear on October 14, 2026.
The House Committee on Host Communities has confirmed the receipt of a petition from the Niger Delta Oil-Producing Communities Reform Movement (ND-OCRIM) concerning the pipeline surveillance contract held by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL). The petition raises allegations concerning the implementation of the contract and calls for a comprehensive investigation into the management and utilisation of funds received by PINL under the pipeline surveillance arrangement.
Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities, Dekor Robinson, assured stakeholders that the committee would submit its findings and recommendations to the House for further consideration and appropriate legislative action. The petition seeks a forensic review of PINL's financial records and transactions, including transactions involving directors and related entities, as well as an assessment of the welfare and working conditions of personnel engaged in pipeline surveillance.
The House Committee on Electoral Matters has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to audit party membership registers and disqualify 2027 election candidates whose names were not listed as stated by the Electoral Act 2026. The committee's chairman, Bayo Balogun, drew the commission's attention to the Supreme Court ruling on sections 77(5), 77(6), and 77(7) and called for full enforcement on all political parties.
The Supreme Court ruling restored provisions that require political parties to use the register submitted to INEC for party primaries, congresses, and conventions. Section 77(5) provides that only members whose names are contained in the membership register submitted to INEC are eligible to vote or be voted for at party primaries, congresses, and conventions. This move aims to ensure the credibility and transparency of the electoral process in Nigeria.
Key points
- The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee issues a final summons to FCT area council officials over N100 billion unresolved audit queries.
- The committee on Host Communities investigates allegations concerning the pipeline surveillance contract held by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited.
- The Electoral Matters Committee urges INEC to audit party membership registers and disqualify candidates whose names are not listed.
