Drama at National Assembly as Angry Contractors Force Reps to Suspend Plenary

The House of Representatives has stopped plenary for one week following a large protest by local contractors who barred the entrance to the National Assembly Complex in Abuja over alleged nonpayment for projects completed since 2024.

According to reports, the protest, which caused heavy gridlock and disrupted legislative activities, prompted lawmakers to postpone all sittings until next Tuesday to allow the House leadership to engage the executive branch of government and ensure that contractors receive their long-overdue payments.

The resolution came after the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), raised concerns over the contractors’ “dire plight” in a motion of urgent national importance.

“You recall that our local contractors, our brothers and sisters, besieged the National Assembly today, protesting that they have not been paid for jobs completed under the 2024 budget,” Chinda told the audience.

“This non-payment has caused untold hardship to our people, and it is our duty as a Parliament to take a stand.”

Chinda stated that the contractors’ demonstration was caused by the Federal Government’s refusal to obey President Bola Tinubu’s earlier directives for the Ministers of Finance and Budget to release monies for finished projects.

Representatives deliver a seven-day ultimatum to finance and budget ministers
The House decided to give the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, and the Accountant-General of the Federation seven days to settle all outstanding payments owed to the protesting contractors and fully implement the 2025 budget.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu presided over the plenary and put the resolution to a voice vote, which was unanimously approved by members across party lines.

Shortly after the resolution, Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu Mai-Palace (APC, Zamfara) filed a follow-up motion requesting the House to delay plenary for one week until the executive responds to the ultimatum.

“Mr Speaker, the urgency and sensitivity of this matter demand that we suspend our sittings for one week so that the leadership can engage the executive to find a lasting solution,” Mai-Pale said.

Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, supported the proposal, saying it was practical given that demonstrators had obstructed access to the National Assembly.

“Members arrived late today because the routes were blocked by demonstrators. “It’s sensible to take a step back and let the executive act,” Waive explained.

Following unanimous consent by voice vote, Deputy Speaker Kalu said that all plenary sessions would be delayed until next Tuesday, pending the conclusion of negotiations between the House leadership and the executive branch.

The House also directed its leadership to enforce strict adherence to the resolution and to report back within one week for “further drastic legislative action” if the administration fails to achieve the deadline.

The protest began early Tuesday, with scores of indigenous contractors carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs at the National Assembly Complex gate.

They accused the government of owing billions of naira for projects completed in the 2024 fiscal year.

Security personnel, including police and civil defense, were deployed to contain the crowd as parliamentarians attempted to gain admission into the building before deciding to stop proceedings.