● Red chamber moves to probe billions owed contractors as Tinubu returns to Abuja after Eid break
The Nigerian Senate has set up a panel to review outstanding payments owed to contractors and gave the committee a one-week deadline to submit its findings.
The move comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to Abuja on Tuesday after spending the Eid-el-Kabir holiday in Lagos, where he combined festive activities with political and diplomatic engagements.
The President arrived at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 5:17 p.m.
He was received by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu and other senior officials, according to a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
During the Sallah break, Tinubu hosted Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and National Assembly leadership, Nigeria Governors’ Forum led by Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and APC stakeholders from Oyo State. He also attended the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary in Lagos, commissioned three naval vessels — NNS Oloibiri, NNS Mambila and NNS Gurara — and held talks with Benin Republic President Romuald Wadagni on bilateral ties.
While details of the Senate panel’s mandate are still emerging, the one-week deadline signals urgency around debts owed contractors, a long-standing issue that has stalled projects and strained government-business relations nationwide.
Before the Eid holiday, Tinubu had participated in APC primaries in Lagos and secured the party’s presidential ticket for 2027, which the Presidency said drew endorsement from close to 11 million member
