2026 budget tension stalls House of Reps plenary as lawmakers clash over welfare, unpaid funds, and Tinubu’s N1.15tn loan request

2026 budget tension gripped the House of Representatives on Tuesday as lawmakers abruptly adjourned plenary without addressing a single item on the day’s Order Paper.

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The dramatic turn of events, sources said, stemmed from deepening frustration over welfare concerns, unpaid allocations, and President Bola Tinubu’s N1.15 trillion loan request.

The closed-door session preceding the adjournment reportedly grew heated, with lawmakers exchanging sharp words over the handling of the 2026 budget process.

The chamber, last known to adjourn so suddenly only in honour of a deceased member, now faces mounting division.

According to parliamentary insiders, the session centred on the government’s failure to clear debts owed to indigenous contractors despite a one-week ultimatum.

Lawmakers also expressed anger at the administration’s slow release of funds for the capital components of the 2024 and 2025 budgets.

Tension escalated when Ifeanyi Uzokwe of Anambra State persistently sought recognition to raise a point of order, but Speaker Tajudeen Abbas ignored his attempts.

Moments later, House Leader Prof Julius Ihonvbere moved for adjournment, which was swiftly adopted.

Sources revealed that President Tinubu had anticipated the House would approve his borrowing plan on Tuesday to help fund the 2025 budget deficit.

The proposal seeks approval for a ₦1.15 trillion domestic loan to bridge fiscal gaps arising from the expanded ₦59.99 trillion budget.

However, several members reportedly resisted, citing grievances over unpaid allowances and constituency project funds.

Bauchi lawmaker Ismaila Dabo captured the growing unease in a message to colleagues on the House’s WhatsApp platform, lamenting that despite budget increases from ₦160 billion to ₦360 billion, many members “cannot afford rent or travel to constituencies.”

He also decried “alarming disparity” between ordinary members and principal officers, noting that some senior lawmakers control projects worth over ₦50 billion while others struggle to secure funding for ₦1.1 billion allocations.

Dabo proposed raising members’ monthly allowances from ₦12.5 million to ₦30 million and reducing the number of standing committees, which he described as “too many and ineffective.”

His message, later deleted by the group’s admin, was reportedly discussed during the closed-door session alongside updates from the Speaker’s meeting with the President.

Tinubu, according to a source, assured leaders of funding for the 2024 budget and half of the 2025 plan, but admitted that debt servicing had constrained revenue.

In response, Speaker Abbas denied claims of mismanagement, insisting that increased budgetary provisions were used for institutional projects such as car parks, a National Assembly hospital, and a recreation centre.

Despite his defence, frustration remains high among lawmakers, with one member describing the situation as “unsustainable and embarrassing.”

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The House reconvenes today, with the contentious loan request and budget funding expected to dominate discussions.