The House of Representatives has called on President Tinubu to ensure timely submissions of 2025 Budget or risk rejection
The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to present the 2025 budget without further delay, warning that failure to do so could result in its outright rejection.
This resolution followed a motion raised by Rep. Clement Jimbo (APC, Akwa Ibom), highlighting the executive’s non-compliance with section 11(1)(b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, which mandates timely budget submissions.
Rep. Jimbo, in his motion of national importance, emphasized the need for the federal government to adhere to the law.
He explained that section 11(1)(b) of the FRA 2007 compels the government to submit a Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for the next three financial years, no later than four months before the start of the new fiscal year.
According to Jimbo, this ensures prudent management of the nation’s resources, long-term macroeconomic stability, and transparency in fiscal operations.
Jimbo argued that “the time the national assembly requires to exercise its functions as enshrined in section 88(2)(b) is technically being taken away by the non-compliance of section 11(1)(b) of FRA 2007 by executive.”
He stressed that the assembly must have sufficient time to scrutinize and approve the budget, warning that the delay compromises the legislature’s constitutional duties.
In support of the motion, Rep. Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) expressed concerns that such delays interfere with the assembly’s oversight role. “We don’t want anything that will infringe on our time and hinder our oversight functions,” Osawaru said, further accusing some Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of manipulating their budgets due to this delay.
Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP Rivers), the minority leader of the House, also noted the administration’s previous commitment to maintaining a budget cycle that runs from January to December, a shift from the inconsistent timelines of past governments. He warned that last year’s budget was rushed, which impacted the quality of legislative review, and called for bipartisan support to ensure this issue does not persist.
In a more forceful contribution, Rep. Solomon Bob (PDP Rivers) urged the House to reject any late submissions outright. “Henceforth, if they bring a budget that is late, we should reject it,” he declared.
Adopting the motion, the House mandated the committees on national planning and economic development, appropriation, and finance to ensure compliance with the FRA and report back within two weeks.
STAR Check: Nigerians, particularly, constituents of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika federal constituency, can keep tabs on the legislative performance of Rep. Jimbo throughout the 10th House here
