President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally declined assent to the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Establishment Amendment Bill, 2025, citing legal and policy inconsistencies.
The President’s position was communicated through a letter read on the floor of the House of Representatives by Speaker Hon. Abbas Tajudeen during Tuesday’s plenary.
While acknowledging the bill’s intentions as “commendable,” President Tinubu noted that certain provisions were in conflict with existing laws and federal policies. He highlighted concerns relating to the funding of agencies under the National Assembly, taxation of national entities, public service regulations, and provisions regarding aid and years of service.
He cautioned that enacting the bill in its current form would create an unsustainable precedent and urged the lawmakers to review and address the identified issues in the legislation.
Meanwhile, political tension briefly flared in the chamber following the defection of two members of the opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Hon. Peter Akpanke from Cross River State, formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Hon. Paul Nnamchi of Enugu State, previously with the Labour Party (LP), both announced their decision to join the APC in letters addressed to the Speaker.
The move prompted a reaction from Minority Whip Hon. George Ozodinobi, who raised a point of order, expressing dissatisfaction over the defections.
