A rift between Nigeria’s two legislative chambers has escalated, as the House of Representatives has voted to halt consideration of all bills originating from the Senate.
The move, announced on Wednesday, July 2, stems from growing frustration over what the House views as a lack of legislative reciprocity from the upper chamber.
The motion to suspend Senate bills was prompted by Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, who called attention to the disparity in how each chamber treats the other’s legislative output.
According to Chinda, while the House often expedites Senate-originated bills, the Senate has failed to act on more than 140 bills passed by the House.
Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, echoed these concerns, citing his own experience with stalled legislation.
“This is not acceptable. Unless we receive considerable assurance from the Senate, we will no longer consider their bills,” Abbas said.
He revealed that no fewer than 146 bills passed by the House, including over 10 personally sponsored by him, are currently awaiting Senate concurrence, with some delays stretching beyond six months.
The tipping point came during deliberations on a Senate bill to amend the Federal Orthopaedic Hospital Management Act, which sought to establish a Federal Orthopaedic Hospital in Obokun, Osun State.
House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, had moved for the bill’s second reading, but was met with strong resistance from several members.
Rep. Dagomie Abiante (PDP, Rivers) expressed frustration over his own legislative proposals being ignored by the Senate.
“Meanwhile, we continue to entertain and approve their bills,” he lamented.
Hon. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) backed the decision, urging the House Committee on Rules and Business to meet with their Senate counterparts and uncover the reasons behind the backlog.
He argued that shelving Senate bills would send a clear message: the House expects mutual respect and timely collaboration.
Despite Speaker Abbas initially urging his colleagues to allow the Senate bill to move forward, the chamber held its ground.
Lawmakers voted to step down the bill and impose a blanket suspension on all pending Senate-originated legislation until further notice.
