Crisis is brewing in the House of Representatives as members prepare for a confrontation with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas when the House reconvenes on September 23, 2025, after its annual recess.
Investigations by LEADERSHIP Weekend revealed that several lawmakers are compiling what they described as the “iniquities” of the Speaker and House leadership, accusing them of sidelining members in the sharing of privileges and key decisions.
Tensions escalated after the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Kamoru Ogunlana, announced the induction of 785 new staff without the input of lawmakers. Many Reps, angered by the development, flooded the House’s WhatsApp platform, questioning why they were not allotted slots for their constituencies.
“Wonders shall never end in NASS. How can the Commission employ over 800 new staff without members’ knowledge to even nominate from their constituencies?” one lawmaker wrote. Another added: “We couldn’t even get one slot for our constituency.”
Beyond staff recruitment, discontent is also rising over the poor performance of the 2025 budget, alleged selective funding of projects, and ongoing insecurity, particularly killings in the North. Some members accused the executive of unfairly concentrating development projects in certain regions, though others cautioned against politicising the matter by singling out the South-West.
The lawmakers also lamented their inability to deliver projects or support to their constituents, with some warning it could endanger their re-election prospects in 2027. “We are on a two-month recess, but many of us have refused to travel to our constituencies because of lack of funds,” one member admitted.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the House leadership were unsuccessful as calls and messages to spokesman Akin Rotimi were not returned. However, sources close to the leadership dismissed the lawmakers’ anger, arguing that recruitment was conducted openly and that grievances should be channelled through formal parliamentary procedures.
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