Reps Give Finance, Budget Ministers 7-Day Ultimatum to Pay Indigenous Contractors, Implement 2025 Budget

The House of Representatives has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamsudeen Ogunjimi, to clear all outstanding payments owed to indigenous contractors and begin full implementation of the 2025 budget.

The directive followed a motion of urgent national importance raised by Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, during plenary on Tuesday.

Chinda told the House that a group of aggrieved local contractors had earlier besieged the National Assembly complex, staging a protest that disrupted activities within the premises. He recalled that in June 2025, Senator Abdul Ningi had raised concerns over the federal government’s failure to pay contractors since 2024, prompting a resolution for investigation and payment — a commitment that has yet to be fulfilled.

The lawmaker noted that despite several meetings involving the House leadership, the concerned ministers, and even President Bola Tinubu — who reportedly directed immediate settlement of the contractors’ claims — no tangible progress had been made.

“The non-payment of local contractors has caused severe hardship and heightened poverty across the country,” Chinda lamented. “It is, therefore, necessary that the relevant ministries comply within seven days by clearing all arrears and fully implementing the 2025 budget.”

The motion, which was unanimously adopted, also mandates the House leadership to monitor strict compliance and report back within a week for further legislative action if the directive is ignored.

In a related development, the House approved a motion moved by Hon. Ahmadu Mai Palace of Zamfara State, seeking an adjournment of plenary in solidarity with the protesting contractors. Supporting the motion, Chairman of the Rules and Business Committee, Hon. Francis Waive, said the protest had severely disrupted movement in and around the complex, warning that the situation could escalate if the contractors’ demands are not addressed.

The House resolved to take stronger legislative measures should the executive fail to comply with the seven-day ultimatum.