Reps finally grant Tinubu’s request, extend 2023 budget

The House of Representatives on Thursday granted President Bola Tinubu’s request by extending the capital component of the 2023 Appropriation Act and the Supplementary Appropriation Act until 31 December.

Tinubu’s request was granted after the House entered a closed-door session amid opposition from some lawmakers.

Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, had read a letter containing Tinubu’s request to the lawmakers during the plenary session.

In the letter read by Tajudeen, Tinubu said the extension would allow his administration to implement the two budgets fully.

The request involves extending the lives of N21.8 trillion 2023 Budget and the N2.17 trillion 2023 Supplementary Budget.

The N27.5 trillion 2024 Budget is also running concurrently with them.

Opposition to the request by some lawmakers led to the House going into a rowdy session and a closed-door meeting.

Upon resumption of plenary from the closed-door session, the Speaker said the concerns of the opposing lawmakers were discussed and he would present them to Tinubu.

The bill was subsequently given a speedy passage through the first, second and third reading stages within 20 minutes.