The Nigerian Senate rejects Sen. Orji Kalu’s motion to suspend ICPC project tracking, affirming procedural rules and statutory oversight of federal projects

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday rejected a motion by Senator Orji Kalu (APC-Abia) seeking to suspend the ongoing national project tracking exercise conducted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

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Senator Orji Kalu moved the motion during plenary, citing challenges faced by contractors executing federal projects, particularly issues around fund releases and budget implementation.

However, the motion was opposed by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who described it as procedurally defective.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele noted that the motion had not been seconded and that the consent of other senators, as required under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, had not been obtained.

“By our rules, a motion can only be debated if it is seconded,” Senator Opeyemi Bamidele said, adding that ICPC has a statutory mandate to track projects and ensure transparency, including those linked to lawmakers.

Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau also called for the withdrawal of the motion, describing any concerns about ICPC’s project monitoring as matters to be addressed administratively. He stressed that ICPC is operating within its mandate for accountability and prudence.

Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) further noted that under Order 41(4), only one matter of urgent public importance can be raised at a time. Since the Senate had already debated an urgent motion on insecurity, taking up a second urgent motion would be procedurally improper.

Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld the point of order and declared Senator Orji Kalu’s motion out of order, making it unable to proceed.

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The Senate’s decision reinforces the authority of statutory bodies like ICPC to carry out oversight functions and highlights adherence to legislative rules and procedural propriety in parliamentary operations.