Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have expressed deep concern over what they described as the non-implementation of the 2025 budget, a situation they said has persisted throughout the fiscal year despite repeated assurances from the Executive.
The Minority Caucus in the lower chamber, led by Hon. Fred Agbedi and Hon. Afam Ogene, announced that they would hold a strategic meeting on Tuesday night to deliberate on the alleged breach of fiscal commitments and the perceived failure of key finance officials to honour assurances given to the legislature.
In a statement jointly signed by the caucus leaders, the opposition lawmakers said the meeting would address “fiscal governance, legislative oversight, and the performance of the minority leadership,” while also considering measures to correct perceived institutional lapses.
Non-Implementation of 2025 Budget: Opposition Caucus Warns of Fallout
The caucus highlighted the non-implementation of the 2025 budget as a major concern, arguing that it undermines national development priorities and raises serious questions about the credibility of budgetary planning in the country.
They said the House had approved all loan requests submitted by the Executive, including those meant to fund capital projects across sectors.
However, according to the opposition, the budget’s capital components were not released as promised, leaving many projects stalled or abandoned.
“The issue is not just about delayed payments,” a senior member of the caucus told Vanguard.
“It is about deliberate failure to implement approved allocations. We have records of approvals and loan requests, yet the execution has been minimal.”
The caucus also accused the Finance Ministry and the Accountant-General of failing to honour assurances given to the House that capital funds would be released and outstanding obligations cleared before the end of the fiscal year.
They argued that the delay has worsened Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit and hindered government interventions designed to improve public services.
Accountability Demands: Finance Minister and Accountant-General Under Scrutiny
The opposition caucus indicated that it may demand the removal of the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation if the allegations of fiscal mismanagement are not satisfactorily addressed.
According to the caucus, both officials had repeatedly assured the House that the 2025 budget would be implemented, including the clearing of outstanding payment obligations. The caucus said those assurances were not fulfilled.
“This is not just a matter of politics,” the caucus statement noted. “It is a matter of governance and national interest.”
If the caucus proceeds with its threat to call for the removal of the finance officials, it could intensify pressure on the Executive, particularly as Nigeria continues to grapple with inflation, high borrowing costs, and rising debt servicing obligations.
Calls for Legislative Records as Tax Laws Change
In addition to concerns about the non-implementation of the 2025 budget, the caucus said it would demand copies of all bills passed by the 10th Assembly, as well as votes, proceedings, and all gazetted laws.
This demand comes amid controversies over recent changes to tax laws, which some lawmakers claim were altered without full legislative transparency.
The caucus argued that access to full legislative records is essential for ensuring accountability and for verifying whether proper procedures were followed in the passage of key bills.
Minority Leadership Performance Under Review
The meeting will also assess the performance of the minority leadership, amid concerns that some leaders may not have met the expectations of caucus members.
While the caucus did not name specific leaders, sources said that the review could lead to “corrective measures” if the leadership is found wanting in its oversight role.
The venue of the meeting was not disclosed at the time of the statement, but members were informed that details would be shared on Tuesday.
Implications for Governance and Public Confidence
The opposition caucus’s move signals rising tensions within the House of Representatives and highlights growing frustration over fiscal management and transparency in governance.
The alleged non-implementation of the 2025 budget is likely to intensify scrutiny of government spending and could spark broader debates on the effectiveness of Nigeria’s budget process.
Experts say the situation could affect investor confidence and may complicate efforts to mobilise resources for national development, especially if budget implementation continues to lag.
As the meeting approaches, stakeholders across the political spectrum will be watching closely to see whether the opposition caucus will proceed with its demand for accountability or escalate the issue through formal parliamentary actions.
