“Everybody Knows the Road to the Villa” — Kalu Blasts Ministers for Lateness to Budget Defence Sessions
By Fatima Saka
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has openly criticised federal ministers for arriving late to budget defence sessions at the National Assembly, declaring that “everybody knows the road to the Villa” and warning against using the Presidency as an excuse for delays.
Kalu made the remarks during the budget presentation of the National Security and Intelligence Committee, where he expressed frustration over what he described as a pattern of disregard for legislative schedules by some members of the executive arm.
“It’s good to say this. Mr. President should take note of that, because they don’t adhere to time, and it’s affecting our job here. Only the security community gives you time here,” he said.
The senator commended top security officials for consistently demonstrating punctuality during committee engagements. According to him, the National Security Adviser, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Chief of Defence Staff often arrive ahead of scheduled time for budget defence.
“I was here twenty minutes to eleven, and the DG DSS was here. All of them were here waiting for eleven o’clock. We should take this seriously. We are not joking here,” he stated.
Kalu lamented that some ministers, including former lawmakers, fail to respect parliamentary procedures after assuming executive positions.
“Our colleagues will come here at eleven o’clock and show up at three o’clock, saying they were calling the Villa. Everybody knows the road to the Villa. They should stop lying bluntly with the name of the President and come and do their job. We are doing budgetary,” he said.
He stressed that such delays slow down the work of lawmakers, especially during the critical budget period when committees are expected to scrutinise appropriations for ministries, departments and agencies.
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The former Abia State governor thanked the presiding officer for allowing him to express what he described as long-held frustration, urging stricter adherence to time and respect for legislative oversight to ensure smooth and effective governance.
His comments come as the National Assembly intensifies budget defence sessions ahead of the passage of the national appropriation bill.
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