Proceedings at the House of Representatives were abruptly adjourned on Tuesday amid rising tension over the 2026 budget and President Bola Tinubu’s ₦1.15 trillion loan request.
The House, which had a full Order Paper containing 30 bills and 16 reports, ended plenary without taking up a single item — an unusual occurrence last seen only when honouring a deceased member.
Lawmakers had earlier held a one-hour closed-door session that reportedly turned heated over the handling of the budget process and the government’s failure to release funds for capital projects in the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
Although no official reason was given for the adjournment, sources said the meeting centred on the expiration of a one-week ultimatum issued to the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the Accountant General to settle debts owed indigenous contractors.
Tensions spilled onto the floor when Ifeanyi Uzokwe (Anambra) repeatedly sought recognition to raise a point of order but was ignored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who instead announced an emergency meeting of the South-West caucus. Moments later, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere moved a motion for adjournment, which was quickly adopted.
Insiders told The PUNCH that the development dashed President Tinubu’s expectation that lawmakers would approve his ₦1.15 trillion domestic borrowing request to fund the 2025 budget deficit. The lawmakers reportedly refused to proceed, citing dissatisfaction over welfare and constituency funding.
Before plenary, Bauchi lawmaker Ismaila Dabo had sparked debate in the House’s WhatsApp group with a post titled “My Concern and the Sad Reality About the 10th National Assembly.” He lamented that despite the National Assembly’s budget rising to ₦360 billion, many members were facing financial hardship, defaulting on loans, and unable to meet constituency obligations.
Dabo also faulted the proliferation of committees and alleged unfair disparities between principal officers and regular members in project allocations.
Efforts to reach House spokesman Akin Rotimi and House Services Committee chairman Amos Daniel for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
