Senate Halts Procurement in Defaulting MDAs, Declares War on Impunity

The Senate has moved swiftly to clamp down on federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that have persistently ignored oversight responsibilities, ordering an immediate suspension of procurement activities in all non-compliant institutions.

At a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, Senator Olajide Ipinshagba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, condemned what he described as an “alarming culture of disregard” for the legislative arm of government.

“We are witnessing a brazen display of impunity by agencies that refuse to honour our summons or submit procurement records. This defiance undermines democratic accountability and will no longer be tolerated,” he said.

Senator Ipinshagba revealed that the Committee, working closely with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has instructed a freeze on all procurement processes in defaulting agencies until further notice.

“If an agency cannot be transparent with how it uses public funds, it has no business spending any more. BPP has been directed to act immediately,” he declared.

He reaffirmed that the Committee is not symbolic, but a constitutional body charged with safeguarding the integrity of public spending.

The Senator vowed that heads of defaulting MDAs would face serious consequences—including sanctions and possible disciplinary action—warning that continued resistance would be met with the full weight of the law.

“Accountability is the lifeblood of democracy. No agency is above the law, and no official will be shielded from consequences,” he said.

Sounding a final warning, Ipinshagba urged all MDAs to take the Senate’s oversight role seriously, emphasizing that transparency, due process, and respect for legislative authority are non-negotiable.

“The era of unchallenged impunity is over. This Senate will not stand by while public institutions operate in the dark. The Nigerian people deserve openness, not silence,” he concluded.