Photo File: House of Representatives

A tense atmosphere gripped the House of Representatives on Tuesday as lawmakers abruptly adjourned plenary without considering a single item on the day’s Order Paper, following disagreements over the 2026 budget and the Federal Government’s borrowing request.

The closed-door session that preceded the adjournment reportedly turned heated, with members exchanging harsh words over what many described as the “poor handling” of the budget process and worsening welfare concerns among legislators.

Although no official reason was given for the adjournment, sources within the chamber told The PUNCH that discussions revolved around the expiration of the one-week ultimatum issued to the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the Accountant General of the Federation, to clear outstanding debts owed to indigenous contractors.

Tension heightened when Ifeanyi Uzokwe, a member from Anambra State, persistently 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 Prof. Julius Ihonvbere moved a motion for adjournment, ending the day’s proceedings.

The adjournment came amid expectations that the House would approve President Bola Tinubu’s request to borrow ₦1.15 trillion to finance the 2025 budget deficit. However, many lawmakers reportedly refused to consider the proposal, citing grievances over unpaid constituency funds and members’ welfare.

President Tinubu, in a letter to the House last week, had sought approval to establish a domestic borrowing programme, citing a ₦14.1 trillion deficit caused by an expanded ₦59.99 trillion budget.

“I write to request the approval of the National Assembly to establish a ₦1.15 trillion borrowing programme in the domestic debt market to close the unfunded deficit gap,” the President’s letter stated.

Inside sources said lawmakers were angered by the non-release of funds for capital projects in the 2024 and 2025 budgets despite repeated assurances from the executive.

Earlier that day, Ismaila Dabo, representing Toro Federal Constituency (Bauchi State), had shared a lengthy message on the House’s WhatsApp group lamenting the “sad reality” of members’ financial struggles.

“Many members cannot pay their rents, travel to their constituencies, or repay bank loans. Some are even being pursued by moneylenders,” Dabo wrote.

He criticised the proliferation of committees under Speaker Abbas’s leadership, claiming it had weakened the legislature’s oversight power and diminished its relevance before ministries and agencies. Dabo also called for increased allowances for members and a more equitable distribution of resources between principal officers and ordinary lawmakers.

Following the post, some members reportedly accused the leadership of mismanaging the ₦120 billion budget increase allocated for National Assembly projects in 2024. Speaker Abbas, however, defended the expenditure, stating it was used for infrastructure upgrades, including car parks, hospital facilities, and staff welfare improvements.

Efforts to reach House spokesman Akin Rotimi and Committee on House Services Chairman Amos Daniel for official comments were unsuccessful as of press time.

The House is expected to reconvene Wednesday, with the ₦1.15 trillion loan request and internal budgetary concerns likely to dominate discussions.