Tinubu’s budget extension sparks chaos in House

The House of Representatives erupted into a rowdy session on Thursday after President Bola Tinubu proposed extending the capital component of the 2023 Appropriation Act and the Supplementary Appropriation Act until December 31, 2024.

President Tinubu, in a letter read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, emphasized the need for the extension to ensure the completion of ongoing projects.

He argued that the extension is crucial for the full implementation of the budgets.

However, opposition lawmakers strongly rejected Tinubu’s budget extension proposal, causing a loud and chaotic atmosphere in the chamber.

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Earlier, the Nigerian Senate had passed the 2023 supplementary appropriation bill, extending its implementation to the end of 2024.

Tinubu’s budget extension allows the 2023 supplementary budget to run concurrently with the 2024 budget, which stands at N28.78 trillion.

The Senate’s decision followed an emergency plenary session presided over by Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio. Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, who sponsored the bill, argued for the necessity of the extension.

Senate President Akpabio thanked the Senators for their cooperation and expressed confidence that the extension would enable the completion of all pending projects.