The House of Representatives was thrown into chaos as lawmakers engaged in a heated debate over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's request to extend the implementation period for the capital component of the 2023 budget and the 2023 supplementary budgets to December 2024.
The request, which was sent to the National Assembly, sought to extend the N21.83 trillion 2023 budget and the N2.17 trillion 2023 supplementary budgets, sparking intense debate among lawmakers.
House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda expressed strong reservations about the request, arguing that running four budgets simultaneously would be "morally wrong." He suggested that important projects in the supplementary budget should be moved to the main budget instead.
Chinda's position was supported by former House leader Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who noted that the extension would lead to a breach of the fiscal responsibility Act.
However, some lawmakers argued that the extension was necessary to enable the executive to complete ongoing projects and ensure effective implementation of the budgets.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen intervened in the debate, calling for an executive session to allow members to resolve their differences before considering the bills.
The heated session highlights the ongoing tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government over budgetary matters.
The extension request has sparked concerns about the impact on the nation's fiscal discipline and the potential for abuse of funds.
Lawmakers are divided on the issue, with some supporting the executive's request and others opposing it.
The outcome of the debate remains uncertain, with the fate of the budget extension hanging in the balance.
The controversy highlights the need for a more collaborative approach to budgeting and fiscal management.
As the debate rages on, Nigerians await the outcome with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that will serve the nation's best interests.
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