Senate Reopens Two Bills Returned By Tinubu for Reconsideration

The Senate has rescinded its earlier decisions on two amendment bills returned by President Bola Tinubu for reconsideration, following concerns raised by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The bills are the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The decision followed a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader and senator representing Ekiti Central, Opeyemi Bamidele, during plenary on Tuesday.

According to the motion, the two bills had been considered and passed by the National Assembly before being transmitted to the president for assent.

However, a review by the Federal Ministry of Justice identified fundamental issues requiring further legislative consideration, prompting Tinubu to return the bills to the National Assembly with observations.

The motion noted that a technical committee comprising representatives of the Senate, House of Representatives and legal drafting experts from the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had been constituted to examine and resolve the issues raised by the president.

It explained that the reconsideration was necessary to ensure legal clarity, consistency and proper drafting of the proposed amendments.

Relying on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of its Standing Orders, the Senate resolved to rescind its earlier decisions on the two bills and recommit them to the Committee of the Whole for comprehensive reconsideration.

The decision will allow senators to revisit the proposed legislation, address the identified concerns and make any necessary amendments before taking further legislative action.