President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has refused to sign two bills recently passed by the National Assembly, citing conflicts with existing laws, risks to fiscal discipline, and the potential for creating unsustainable precedents in public administration.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, read during Tuesday’s plenary, President Tinubu stated that he withheld assent to the bills due to major flaws and conflicts with existing financial and constitutional regulations.
The bills affected are the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Amendment Bill, 2025, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Amendment Bill, 2025.
In letters dated Wednesday, June 24, 2025, and Friday, June 26, 2025, which were later read on the floors of both chambers in Abuja, President Tinubu acknowledged the positive intent behind the legislation but highlighted provisions that contradict Nigeria’s constitutional and fiscal framework.
On the Library Trust Fund Bill, the President raised concerns over clauses relating to taxation, remuneration, and conditions of service for public officers, emphasizing that these provisions clash with existing public service and financial management regulations.
He warned that approving the bill as it stands could set “an unsustainable precedent” and undermine fiscal prudence in the public sector.
Regarding the NDLEA Amendment Bill, Tinubu pointed out constitutional and transparency issues.
The legislation sought to allow the anti-narcotics agency to retain a portion of funds recovered from drug-related crimes.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Asks Senate to Confirm Abdullahi Ramat as NERC Chairman
However, the President maintained that all public revenue must be remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, and bypassing established financial controls could weaken oversight and expose public funds to misuse.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding fiscal discipline, transparency, and adherence to constitutional requirements in public finance management.
Under Section 58(5) of the 1999 Constitution, the National Assembly has the option to amend the disputed provisions or override the President’s decision with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
The decision has sparked widespread discussion in political and legislative circles, with analysts noting that it highlights the administration’s insistence on strong fiscal and legal safeguards in governance.