President Bola Tinubu arrived at the National Assembly today, Wednesday, to present the 2025 fiscal year budget. Security forces secured the complex and restricted access to the legislative chambers.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in a provocative welcome address, claimed that states are “under the flag of Boko Haram,” directly challenging the Tinubu administration’s security management.
Akpabio made several pointed declarations during the session, including a commitment to budget reform and a stern warning to government ministers. “We will not kill any reform in our interest,” he stated, emphasising the legislature’s determination to break existing governmental patterns.
The Senate President revealed significant budgetary adjustments, announcing a 50 percent increase in the 2025 budget and an extension of the 2024 budget to June 2025. He also called on President Tinubu to ensure his ministers respond to National Assembly invitations, threatening to exercise legislative power against those who ignore summonses.
National Assembly management implemented stringent security and logistical measures for the budget presentation. The complex was locked down, with business operators, banks, and food vendors prohibited from operating. Visitors and non-essential staff were instructed to stay home, with only accredited essential personnel and a limited number of reporters permitted entry.
Security reinforcements from various agencies created a formidable presence, underscoring the event’s national significance. Senators and House of Representatives members began arriving early, reflecting the session’s importance.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had previously approved the ₦47.96 trillion estimated expenditure, setting the stage for this pivotal legislative moment that could potentially reshape Nigeria’s fiscal and political landscape.
As President Tinubu began his speech at 12:41 pm, the tension in the chamber was palpable, with the budget presentation serving as a critical moment for the administration’s economic and governance strategy.
Featured image: Vanguard
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