By Huldah Shado
The House of Representatives has given the Minister of Transportation, Said Ahmed Alkali, 48 hours to appear before its Committee on Land Transport following the derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train on August 26, 2025.
The order came after lawmakers expressed outrage over the Minister’s failure to honour an invitation to an investigative hearing on Tuesday, despite the seriousness of the accident involving about 618 passengers.
Committee Chairman, Rep. Blessing Onuh, said members cut short their recess to probe the incident and described Alkali’s absence as “shocking and unacceptable.”
She announced that the sitting would be suspended until the Minister appeared in person, stressing that Nigerians deserved accountability.
Rep. Phillip Agbese criticized Alkali’s conduct, describing him as incompetent and urging the House leadership to draw President Bola Tinubu’s attention to the matter.
He argued that the Minister’s refusal to attend showed disregard for both parliament and Nigerians, warning that such behaviour could damage the government’s image.
Similarly, Rep. Cyril Hart faulted Alkali’s absence, noting that as a former legislator he should have respected the parliamentary summons.
Hart suggested that the derailment may have been linked to substandard rail materials and accused the Minister of failing in his duties at a critical time.
Although the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, was present at the hearing, lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with his previous appearances before the committee.
Hart also reminded him of his repeated political ambitions, urging him to take his responsibilities more seriously.
