Senate Queries Sports Commission Over Repeated Absence From Probe

…Threatens disciplinary action, demands budget and release records from 2023

The Senate Committee on Sports Development has queried the National Sports Commission (NSC), over its failure to honour an invitation to appear before it.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abdul Ningi, ADC, Bauchi Central, expressed the displeasure during the Cpommittee’s meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ningi said invitation letters were addressed separately to the chairman of the Commission and the Director-General to avoid any ambiguity over who should appear before the panel.

He rejected the explanations forwarded by the Commission, describing them as unacceptable.

“The committee will not tolerate attempts to frustrate its constitutional oversight responsibilities,” he said.

According to him, the continued absence of key officials has prevented the committee from carrying out its legislative duties effectively.

“It’s becoming a practice that requires Senate disciplinary action against these agents of government,” Ningi warned, noting that such conduct undermines accountability.

Committee members unanimously backed the chairman and insisted that the commission’s leadership must appear to explain issues surrounding its finances and operations.

The Committee directed the National Sports Commission to submit evidence of approved budgets for 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.

It also demanded details of budget releases for the same period, and records of funds released to all sporting federations including football, basketball, volleyball, boxing, judo and hockey.

The Panel further asked the Commission to present evidence of federal government statutory subventions to the various federations.

In addition, Ningi directed the Clerk of the Committee to write to the Accountant-General of the Federation requesting comprehensive records of all releases made to the National Sports Commission from 2023 to date for verification purposes.

The Chairman said a new date for officials of the commission to appear before the committee would be communicated to them.