- Tinubu’s Swift Action Averts National Assembly Crisis Over Delayed Capital Projects
- Members expressed concern that delayed funding had stalled critical constituency projects
- Agbese emphasised that the House leadership handled the matter with maturity
The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s timely intervention with preventing a potential implosion in the National Assembly, following rising tensions over delayed funding for the 2024 and 2025 capital projects.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the comments come in the wake of last week’s protests by indigenous contractors, who disrupted activities at the National Assembly to voice frustration over unpaid contracts dating back to 2024.
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During a closed-door session on Wednesday, lawmakers urged the federal government to ensure full implementation of outstanding projects, particularly the capital components of the 2024 and 2025 budgets. Members expressed concern that delayed funding had stalled critical constituency projects, prompting the House to consider a seven-day adjournment, which was later rescinded following positive engagement with the Executive.
Agbese described the past week in the House as “challenging but instructive,” noting that calm was restored after leadership under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas took steps to address grievances. “The frustration expressed by some of our colleagues was genuine. Many projects across the country, especially constituency projects, were stalled due to non-release of funds. This also affected indigenous contractors who had executed 2024 capital projects but were yet to be paid,” he said.
He recalled that hundreds of indigenous contractors, under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), had staged a protest blocking access to the National Assembly, highlighting the economic pressures faced by contractors, including forced property sales and business closures.
“The Speaker and other principal officers quickly engaged the Presidency to prevent escalation,” Agbese said. “The intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was decisive. He directed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Accountant-General, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, to commence immediate payment to contractors. Some payments are already being made, which helped douse rising tempers and restore normalcy within the House.”
Agbese emphasised that the House leadership handled the matter with maturity, ensuring concerns of both lawmakers and contractors were addressed without confrontation. He praised Speaker Abbas for demonstrating patriotism and dialogue-driven leadership and affirmed that the House remains united in supporting the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Deputy Spokesperson also clarified that delays in budget implementation were inherited from previous administrations. “The truth is, this administration inherited uncompleted projects and past budget obligations. The delay cannot be attributed to President Tinubu. On the contrary, his swift response demonstrated commitment to good governance and fiscal responsibility,” he added.
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