Reps assure quick passage of 2025 appropriation bill, constitution amendment

Nigerians have been assured by the leadership of the House of Representatives of its resolve to accelerate the passage of the 2025 Appropriation bill, Whistleblower Protection bill, as well as strengthen good governance and improve national security.

A statement issued on Monday by the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, in Abuja, highlighted major areas of legislative focus for the second year of the 10th Assembly.

Rotimi explained that with the 2024 fiscal year coming to a close, the House eagerly anticipates receiving the 2025 Appropriation Bill soon, stressing that timely submission from the Executive was crucial, as it would facilitate thorough scrutiny and public input through Town Hall meetings, a practice pioneered by the House during the 2024 Budget review.

The chairman assured, “The House is firmly committed to maintaining the January – December budget cycle and anticipates cooperation from the Executive in this regard.”

Speaking on the ongoing Constitution Review, the House Spokesman said that the constitutional review process serves as the bedrock of democracy, embodying the collective aspirations for a just society.

The House reaffirmed the December 2025 deadline to arrive at definitive outcomes for the Sixth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), saying that the House Committee on Constitution Review (HCCR), chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, would intensify efforts to address pressing issues and align the country’s laws with the needs of the public.

Rotimi stated the House had received about 305 memoranda from the public and about 150 Constitution Alteration Bills from the members.

On electoral reform, he explained that “as outlined in Article 6.7 on Law Reform in our Legislative Agenda, the 10th House will prioritize amending the Electoral Act 2022 to address gaps, including vague and contradictory provisions.”

On the Local Government Autonomy, he argued that in light of the landmark Supreme Court ruling in July 2024 on Local Government Autonomy, they anticipated bills aimed at ensuring the consequential alignment of various extant laws with the new reality.

On the Whistleblower Protection bill, he stated that in consideration of recent policy statements from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, the House anticipates an executive bill, stressing that the initiative aligns with their 8-Point Legislative Agenda, particularly aspects focused on strengthening good governance and improving national security.

Rotimi disclosed that during the first session, the House considered 679 motions, passed 89 bills, and received 306 petitions from distressed Nigerians.