The House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, demanding his appearance over the recent derailment of an Abuja , Kaduna bound train carrying more than 618 passengers.
Lawmakers were visibly enraged after the Minister failed to honour the committee’s invitation to an investigative hearing on the incident.
In her opening remarks, Committee Chairperson Hon. Blessing Onuh condemned Alkali’s absence as “unacceptable,” accusing him of turning his back on Nigerians at a critical moment.
“A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing. We are on recess, but many of us cut our break and came all the way from Lagos because of this national tragedy only for the Minister to snub the parliament,” Onuh fumed. “Our brothers and sisters were endangered.
This is not a joke. We are suspending this meeting and mandating the Minister to appear in person within 48 hours.”
Deputy House Spokesman Hon. Philip Agbese described the Minister’s action as “proof of incompetence and outright disregard for the Nigerian people,” warning that such contempt undermines the government’s credibility.
“This action clearly shows he is not competent to handle the job entrusted to him by the President.
If he fails to show up, Nigerians should know there is effectively no Minister of Transportation in this country,” Agbese stated.
Also speaking, Hon. Cyril Hart expressed shock that Alkali, himself a former parliamentarian, would “dishonour the House” at such a crucial time.
“Over 618 Nigerians could have died. This raises serious questions about the integrity of our rail infrastructure. For a former lawmaker to shun this committee when Nigerians need answers is a betrayal,” Hart lamented.
The committee unanimously resolved to suspend its sitting until the Minister appears, warning that continued defiance would be reported directly to President Bola Tinubu.
