Legislative Gridlock Looms as Federal Government Fails to Pay Local Contractors
A significant legislative standoff appears imminent in the Nigerian House of Representatives as a crucial plenary session, scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, faces uncertainty. The Federal Government’s continued failure to fulfil its contractual obligations to local contractors, who have completed projects under the 2024 and 2025 budget cycles, has created a tense atmosphere. This situation follows a critical closed-door meeting held just a week prior, where members of the “Green Chamber” voiced strong criticisms regarding the implementation of capital projects funded by these budgets.
The meeting involved key figures from the executive branch, including the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamsudeen Ogunjimi; and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji. Lawmakers expressed their deep dissatisfaction with the slow progress and lack of disbursement for essential capital expenditures.
Contractors’ Persistent Demands and Legislative Response
The issue has been a recurring concern for several months, with local contractors resorting to peaceful demonstrations at the National Assembly Complex over the past two months. Their demand is simple yet critical: payment for the projects they have successfully executed. In an effort to de-escalate the situation, the House leadership established an intervention committee. However, despite these efforts, the impasse has persisted, leaving contractors unpaid and frustrated.
In a decisive move on December 9, the House of Representatives passed a resolution that carried significant weight. They declared that they would not proceed with the consideration of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, once it is formally transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, until all outstanding debts owed to the local contractors are settled. This resolution underscored the seriousness with which the lawmakers viewed the executive’s inaction.
Broader Legislative Agenda Put on Hold
The impact of this standoff extends beyond the budget itself. The House also decided to postpone the consideration of numerous other legislative items. This included:
- 42 Bills: A substantial number of bills, originally slated for their first, second, and third readings, were stepped down. This indicates a significant disruption to the legislative pipeline.
- Committee Reports: Four committee reports concerning the establishment of agricultural colleges and specialised institutions in various states, including Kaduna and Edo, were also deferred. These proposals represent potential developments in critical sectors that are now on hold.
- Constitution Review: The much-anticipated consideration of the constitution review report, which had been submitted just two weeks prior, was also suspended. This delay affects crucial discussions on potential amendments to the nation’s foundational law.
A Failed Promise and Lingering Uncertainty
In what appeared to be a last-ditch effort to avert the impending legislative crisis, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamsudeen Ogunjimi, reportedly pledged to clear all outstanding payments within a 48-hour timeframe. However, this deadline passed without any payments reaching the contractors. This unfulfilled promise has amplified the tension and is expected to heavily influence the proceedings of the upcoming plenary session.
Lawmakers Express Disappointment and Caution
Members of the House have publicly expressed their disappointment with the executive’s failure to honour its commitment. Billy Osawaru, representing the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo State, confirmed the unfulfilled pledge. “Promise made has not been met, but we are continuing our engagement with the executive arm,” Osawaru stated.
When questioned about the likelihood of the House proceeding with its threat to halt the consideration of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, Osawaru indicated that the situation remained highly unpredictable. “I am not sure what the outcome will be since we are still expecting the Accountant-General to act,” he added, highlighting the ongoing reliance on executive action.
Similarly, Mansur Soro, representing the Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency in Bauchi State, corroborated that contractors had not yet received their payments. “The pledge has not been kept,” Soro confirmed. He further noted that any official confirmation regarding further engagement between the House and the executive would need to come from the House spokesperson or its leadership.
Attempts to secure an official statement from the House spokespersons, Akin Rotimi and Philip Agbese, proved unsuccessful, as both lawmakers were unavailable for comment at the time of reporting. The persistent delays in payments to local contractors underscore deeper challenges in the implementation of national budgets for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, a problem that now threatens to bring legislative business to a standstill.
