Tension over the 2026 budget stalled proceedings at the House of Representatives on Tuesday as lawmakers abruptly adjourned plenary without considering a single item on the day’s Order Paper.
It was an unusual development, last witnessed only when the chamber suspended sittings in honour of a deceased member.
Lawmakers exchanged heated words in the closed-door session that preceded the adjournment, fuelling speculation of growing division within the House over the handling of the budget process.
The House reconvenes today to resume legislative business, with the loan request expected to feature prominently.
Tuesday’s Order Paper contained 30 bills for the first reading, 16 reports for consideration, eight bills for second reading, and six motions slated for consideration and possible adoption.
Proceedings commenced with the arrival of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and other principal officers, after which the lawmakers went into a closed-door executive session that lasted for about an hour.
Although no official explanation was provided, sources within the chamber suggested that the session centred on the expiration of the one-week ultimatum issued to the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning as well as the Accountant General of the Federation, to clear outstanding debts owed to indigenous contractors.
Emerging from the closed-door session, the chamber became tense when Ifeanyi Uzokwe from Anambra State repeatedly sought recognition to raise a point of order. His attempts were ignored by the Speaker, who, instead, proceeded to make announcements, including a notice of an emergency meeting of the South West caucus.
Undeterred, Uzokwe persisted, prompting the Speaker to direct him to approach the chair privately. Moments later, the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion for adjournment, which was adopted, bringing the session to a close.
Report has that President Bola Tinubu had anticipated that the House of Representatives would on Tuesday approve his administration’s request to borrow N1.15 trillion to fund the 2025 budget deficit.
However, that expectation was dashed as lawmakers, aggrieved over issues reportedly relating to their own welfare and constituency funding, refused to consider the request.
