The House of Representatives has sent a clear signal to the Senate for stalling concurrence to House-passed legislations
The House of Representatives has resolved to suspend further consideration of Senate-originated bills, citing persistent delays in giving concurrence to House-passed legislations.
The resolution followed an observation by Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP Rivers), during Wednesday’s plenary, where he noted that while the House consistently gives attention to Senate bills, the Senate has failed to reciprocate, with over 140 bills passed by the House still awaiting concurrence.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas expressed deep concern over the imbalance, revealing that no fewer than 146 House bills, including over 10 personally sponsored by him, remain unattended to in the Senate, some for more than six months.
“This is a recurring issue. Unless we receive considerable assurance from the Senate, we will no longer consider their bills,” the Speaker declared.
The latest trigger was the motion by House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, seeking the second reading of a Senate Bill to amend the Federal Orthopaedic Hospitals Act and establish a facility in Obokun, Osun State. However, members, citing the Senate’s inaction on House bills, rejected the motion and insisted on stepping it down.
At the committee of the whole, the House also stepped down another senate bill for similar reasons.
Rep. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) called for the House Committee on Rules and Business to engage with its Senate counterpart to address the legislative deadlock.
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Under Nigeria’s bicameral legislature, a bill must be passed by both the Senate and House of Representatives before being transmitted to the President for assent. Lawmakers warned that the Senate’s inaction undermines the legislative process and stalls national development.
The House’s decision sends a clear signal of its readiness to defend institutional integrity and push for mutual legislative respect.
