Reps suspend Senate bills in protest over delay of 146 House bills, urging reciprocal legislative action unless Senate cooperation improves
Reps suspend Senate bills in a bold move to protest the Senate’s continued inaction on more than 140 bills passed by the House of Representatives.
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During Wednesday’s plenary, the House resolved to put all Senate-transmitted bills on hold, citing a lack of reciprocity in the legislative process.
The protest began when Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda objected to the second reading of a Senate bill seeking to amend the Federal Orthopaedic Hospital Management Act.
The bill, sponsored by Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi, aimed to establish a new federal orthopaedic hospital in Osun State.
Chinda expressed his displeasure, stating, “We don’t get the same treatment at the Senate. I will reluctantly second the motion for the second reading of this bill.”
His words set off a wave of frustration that dominated the day’s proceedings.
House Leader Julius Ihonvbere then moved to step down another Senate-sponsored bill on establishing a medical university in Kogi State.
This marked a turning point, as multiple lawmakers voiced support for a temporary freeze on Senate bills.
Rivers State representative Awaji-Inombek Abiante revealed he had multiple bills stuck in the Senate since 2024.
“The same thing happened in the 9th Assembly. I do not know how we will continue with this kind of relationship,” he said.
Ahmed Jaha from Borno State took a firmer stance.
“Let there be tit for tat. The House of Representatives is an institution that cannot be compromised,” he warned, calling for legislative parity.
The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, confirmed that 146 bills from the House were still awaiting Senate concurrence.
“Some have been there for over six months,” he said, adding that over 10 of the pending bills were personally sponsored by him.
Ahmed Satome, Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, supported the motion to halt consideration of Senate bills.
He proposed setting time limits for Senate concurrence, saying delays should be treated as automatic approvals.
The session grew tense as lawmakers continued to express disappointment. Chinda returned to the floor to strengthen his earlier position.
“If I’m given the opportunity to review my position, I would not want to support the second reading of the bill,” he said.
He formally requested the House to step it down and to initiate dialogue with the Senate leadership.
Speaker Abbas appealed for calm but sided with the lawmakers’ concerns.
“Unless we receive reasonable assurance from the Senate concerning the concurrence of our bills, we should not proceed further,” he declared.
The resolution was clear: Reps suspend Senate bills as a strategic move until constructive engagement is achieved.
The House now demands prompt and consistent action from the Senate to ensure that legislative efforts are respected and reciprocated.
The incident underscores a growing tension between Nigeria’s two legislative chambers, and unless addressed quickly, could derail the cooperative dynamics crucial for efficient lawmaking.
By stepping down the bills, the House sends a strong message that legislative collaboration must be mutual.
As the Speaker noted, “We must stand united to ensure our hard work receives equal recognition.”
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Whether this act of protest prompts change or further friction remains to be seen, but for now, the House has drawn a clear line in the sand.
