Legislative proceedings in the House of Representatives on Tuesday ended abruptly as tensions escalated among lawmakers over the alleged selective implementation of the 2024 budget and unpaid indigenous contractors.
Plenary, which commenced at 11:44 a.m., was cut short when Speaker Abbas Tajudeen called for an executive (closed-door) session, just minutes into the sitting. The confidential session, which lasted over an hour, reportedly focused on growing discontent among members regarding preferential release of funds for capital projects and lingering debts owed to local contractors.
When the House reconvened around 1 p.m., the Speaker made brief announcements while lawmakers were seen in small groups, still engaged in discussions over the unresolved issues. Shortly after, Speaker Tajudeen invited House Leader Julius Ihonvbere to move a motion for adjournment, which was seconded by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda.
All items on the Order Paper were stepped down, and plenary was adjourned until Wednesday, November 12.
The session was not without drama. As the motion for adjournment was being moved, Uzokwe Ifeanyi, representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, repeatedly called “Point of Order, Mr Speaker!” in protest over being ignored, a move seen by some as a breach of the Standing Orders of the 10th House.
The abrupt adjournment highlights lingering frustration within the chamber. Lawmakers had held back-to-back executive sessions last week over similar grievances, during which Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu assured members that issues relating to unpaid contractors and selective funding would be resolved upon resumption.
The tensions follow recent protests by contractors who blocked entrances to the National Assembly to demand payment for completed projects.
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