By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to appoint a substantive Auditor-General for the Area Councils without delay, in accordance with legal provisions.
This decision was sequel to a resolution adopted during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing on Wednesday, 26th February 2025, in Abuja.
The committee noted that the absence of a substantive Auditor-General had hindered the signing and submission of audited financial reports, a process mandated by the constitution.
During the session, the Acting Auditor-General for the Area Councils, Abdullahi Ibn Salihu, made a presentation, and in response, the committee chairman, Rep. Bamidele Salam, emphasised the urgency of the matter, leading to the adoption of a motion for immediate action.
He said: “Honourable colleagues, I think we should also step into this. Like I said, when we resumed in October 2023, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation in Nigeria was vacant for about 2 years. The former President, President Muhammadu Buhari refused to make an appointment. And so, audit reports were not submitted. So, when we came in, myself and the Senate counterpart decided to write letters to the President and make some advocacy upon which a substantive was appointed.
“If they have the same case, I think we will also need to step in so that we can call on the Minister. We may need to write to him and invite him. Maybe he has reasons why that appointment has not been made. I think we should. We should actually have a resolution on this also”.
Earlier, during a review of the financial reports of FCT Area Councils, Acting Auditor-General, Abdullahi Ibn Salihu, clarified that most of the financial discrepancies flagged by the committee occurred under previous administrations, as he has only been in office for six months.
Key concerns raised included the failure to submit audited financial reports for 2023-2024, non-remittance of pension deductions to the Pension Commission (PENCOM), and the withholding of available audit reports from the committee.
Rep. Billy Osawaru stressed the need for strict enforcement of legal provisions against the Auditor-General’s office, insisting that such lapses must not persist.
To ensure a thorough review, a five-member sub-committee, led by Rep. Tochukwu Okere, was established to investigate and provide recommendations. Other members include Rep. Ajiya Abdulrahman, Rep. Mandara Usman, Rep. Mauruff Adebayo, and Rep. Mohammed Bargaja.
In attendance were Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Chairman, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, and Bwari Chairman, Hon. John Gabaya, while Kuje and Kwali were represented by their vice chairmen.