Senate Dismisses Kingibe’s Motion on Abuja Waste, Demolitions

The Senate has thrown out a motion sponsored by Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which sought legislative intervention on governance issues in Abuja.

Kingibe had raised the motion under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, highlighting challenges including the worsening waste management crisis, ongoing demolitions by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), non-payment of salaries, stalled contractor projects, land allocation disputes, and encroachment on University of Abuja land.

However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio rejected the motion, saying it bundled too many unrelated issues and did not qualify as urgent national business. “She should withdraw the motion and bring a substantive one focused solely on waste management,” he said.

Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno (Borno North), supported Akpabio’s stance, describing the motion as procedurally flawed. “There is nothing to discuss based on our rules. You cannot put something on nothing,” he said.

Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) criticised Kingibe for bringing the motion “in deceit.” In response, Kingibe pledged to comply, promising to reintroduce the issue as a focused motion on waste management.