Ahead of the House of Representatives’ resumption today, indications have emerged that lawmakers are set to protest over issues surrounding budget implementation and unpaid constituency projects embarked upon since 2024.
The lawmakers are worried about losing political ground in their constituencies because constituency projects since 2024 have not been adequately attended to.
According to an exclusive insight into a gathering of the angry lawmakers, the parliamentarians lamented that local contractors who executed projects in their constituencies have not been paid since 2024.
They noted pressure from their constituents over the projects and expressed fear that such a situation might cost them a return to the parliament in the 2027 election.
The lawmakers also resolved to mount pressure on Speaker Tajudeen Abbas over their being at the receiving end of the poor implementation of the budget.
Other issues raised by the aggrieved lawmakers are disparity in allocations for constituency projects. They lamented that while some lawmakers got N19 billion, others got as low as N1 billion.
They also threatened to object to the presentation of the 2026 budget proposal in protest over the poor implementation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
But the House leadership explained to LEADERSHIP that lawmakers do not have direct contractual engagements with contractors handling constituency projects.
The Deputy House Spokesman, Hon Philip Agbese, said the projects are managed by the relevant government agencies tasked with project implementation.
He, however, added that the House will ensure diligent oversight of the budget to ensure its full and effective implementation.
He said the leadership is actively advocating a constructive dialogue between the Ministry of Finance and indigenous stakeholders involved in executing these projects.
LEADERSHIP reports that members of the National Assembly, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, went on their annual legislative recess in July.
The lawmakers are expected to reconvene today, 23 September 2025.
Aggrieved lawmakers talk tough…
Investigations by LEADERSHIP showed that the aggrieved lawmakers, who have formed a group, are bracing for a showdown with the leadership upon resumption today.
At a forum, one of the aggrieved lawmakers urged his colleagues to ensure the budget is properly oversighted in the best interest of all constituencies.
The lawmaker said, “We are left with just one major budget. We must bridge the gaps in constituency allocation. A situation where one person gets N1 billion and another gets N19 billion is not realistic. We must close the gap. It’s too wide.”
Another lawmaker said, “We are not getting a better deal as members in this 10th Assembly. What’s wrong if we put up a request for a better deal?”
Another aggrieved member, who urged his colleagues to drop sentiments of politics, party, tribe, or religion, stated: “An Election is coming next year, and what we need now is for this government to pay our local contractors all the 2024 projects that have been executed and also fund the 2025 budget so that local contractors will do our projects. By so doing, the pressure from our constituents will reduce.
“This is the time for us to rise and demand for what will help us to return to the House. We’re not fighting anybody; let the right thing be done,” the lawmaker was quoted to have said.
Another lawmaker tackled the Abbas leadership, saying it was not working enough for their interest.
“Not only him, the majority of those in leadership positions in the 10th Assembly are leaders to themselves, not us. The vote of no confidence shall extend to them. They are heartless and wicked to us. They only care for themselves, not us. The House shall unanimously stand and correct this abnormality with serious dispatch; otherwise, the majority of us – if not all – will be consigned into history come 2027. The time is now to act very fast if we are serious and mindful of our future,” the legislator said.
Another member who also decried their plight said their demands were not insurmountable.
“We deserve it. Time is not on our side. The game is almost over. We either get what it takes to do re-election, or what we can retire with. Unless we want to be coming to the National Assembly as ex-members to solicit for ‘assistance’ from the very people who deprived us of the means to return.
“Once again, now is the time. No sentiments. No revolution attached. Just a humble and resolute demand for a small piece of the benefit. Let’s not mind the number of us involved. Life has never been changed by multitude. Just 10 persons in this situation can make the difference.”
He itemised their demands, including “full payment of the 2024 budget and the same for 2025, or else, let us KIV (keep in view) 2026.”
“I don’t blame anyone who got N19bn in budget. Sad and disappointing as it may be, it’s just a reflection of leadership insensitivity to fellow members. The greed is unquenchable.
“For me, in this 2026 budget, it must be N2bn or nothing. If heaven will fall, let it fall. We must reduce and forcefully take from those who have much and add to those with little. This demand is not an offence; it’s a fair demand.
“I have always frowned at how only a few think others don’t have constituents, and as such only them deserve theirs to be employed, if not greed of the highest order. A flat divide of one/one each is just 360. The leaders can share 440. Yet just a few took all! Why? Colleagues, let’s do these demands now, and avoid regretting tomorrow.
“Once again. I desire NOT to discuss issues of leadership, national political topics, party politics and the likes – just our welfare and doing budget the way it’s properly done in other climes,” the member noted.
Some lawmakers, however, sought a conciliatory approach. One of them said, “But, like I said, no discussion of leadership. Let’s just get a fair deal from leadership to all. N360 by N2bn is N720bn. They can take the rest. I will forever be grateful to them if they can do this. No grudge. No envy of their own. Even if they have N1 trillion each. My plea is for all members, not necessarily the ‘privileged ones.’”
Some also advocated discretion in their approach to demanding what they consider their right.
“I think it is rather more intelligent to keep these plans covert until we resume. By the time actionable steps take full variegated posture, these people will begin to grasp the gravity of the situation at hand,” this lawmaker said.
Another lawmaker said, “My advice is if the federal government cannot fund the 2024, 2025 budgets despite repeated demands by the Speaker, we should not entertain anything about supplementary (budget) and or 2026 budget. If you cannot fund two budgets why bring the third one?” he asked.
Another lawmaker, in trying to hold brief for the Speaker, said, “I totally agree with my distinguished chairman, Sir.
The Speaker has done everything possible for them to do the needful. He is now at a breaking point.”
Another lawmaker canvassed for the appropriation and finance committees of the House to probe all revenue-generating agencies (NNPCL, FIRS, Customs and others) to block leakages.
Another lawmaker said, “Selfish leadership must be strongly discouraged. The time to serve them ‘breakfast’, Insha Allah, is drawing near.
“Recently, both the Minority Leader and Minority Whip came out in defence of the Deputy Minority Leader, claiming that his statement about ₦19 billion was a slip of the tongue — that he actually meant ₦1.9 billion. But we all know that was far from the truth. It was a deliberate misrepresentation, and their attempt to cover it up only further erodes our initial trust.
“I’ve taken time to reflect on our engagements with our leaders. While it’s true that the Speaker is trying his best, there’s a clear leadership vacuum in many areas, especially since others are not complementing his efforts.
“The minority leadership, which ideally should be the moral compass and voice of balance, has instead prioritised personal interest over collective responsibility. In times when fairness and courage are most needed, they have chosen silence, self-preservation, and convenience. The recruitment of 800 National Assembly staff is a clear example. If the minority leadership had raised concern, possibly we would be carried along.
“It’s disappointing, but not surprising. Our people are watching — and history will remember who stood for truth, justice, and service.
“The 10th Assembly is gradually coming to its end but a lot is expected to be done,” he lamented.
Another lawmaker also faulted the House leadership’s attitude towards the welfare of members, noting that it smacks of cowardice.
“I swear, if not for the humility of the Speaker and my getting mature with age, what happened in the Senate in the 8th Assembly will repeat itself here, even if I have to go solo.
“Let me use this medium to tell all those bootlickers to continue to screenshot messages from platforms to send to whatever. They come to platforms to talk tailored words, so they can screenshot both – just to prove their own cowardice. This is a battle to finish for me.
“This leadership MUST secure payments for our 2024 and 2025 budgets, and N2bn (for constituency projects) is not negotiable for 2026. If not, there will be crisis.
“Once we resume, we will confront them. There is nothing left for us but to face reality.
“The sycophants and cowards may continue clapping and secretly massaging their egos, but we will not remain silent any longer,” the angry member added.
Constituency Projects Handled By MDAs, Not Lawmakers – House Leadership
The Deputy House Spokesman, Hon Philip Agbese, said, “As lawmakers, we do not have direct contractual engagements with contractors handling constituency projects, as these are managed by the relevant government agencies tasked with project implementation.
“Our primary focus, as representatives of the people, remains the state of the nation’s economy and the diligent oversight of the Appropriation Bill we passed to ensure its full and effective implementation.
“We are actively advocating for peace and constructive dialogue between the Ministry of Finance and indigenous stakeholders involved in executing these projects. It is our hope that through cooperation, an amicable resolution will be reached to address any outstanding issues and ensure that all parties fulfil their obligations for the benefit of our communities.
“We remain optimistic that under President Tinubu’s leadership, the 2025 budget will be implemented comprehensively within its lifespan,” he said.
