By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The House of Representatives has reversed its earlier decision to suspend plenary for one week, announcing that it will reconvene on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
The lawmakers had earlier resolved to adjourn sittings following a protest by indigenous contractors who besieged the National Assembly complex on Tuesday over non-payment for completed projects. The demonstration had made access to the parliament difficult for both members and staff.
The House initially said the suspension was to allow its leadership engage the executive arm and ensure the aggrieved contractors were paid to forestall further disruptions to legislative business.
The decision to adjourn came after a motion of urgent national importance moved by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, who lamented the “dire plight” of local contractors owed by the Federal Government despite repeated assurances to offset the debts.
However, in a statement issued later on Tuesday, the House spokesperson said the chamber would now reconvene on Wednesday, citing “positive developments” from government engagements concerning the issues that prompted the earlier adjournment.
According to the statement, which quoted an internal memorandum by the Clerk of the House, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, the early resumption would enable the leadership to brief members on progress made in resolving the contractors’ grievances and other national matters.
“At Wednesday’s plenary, the House is expected to formally rescind its earlier adjournment resolution to enable proceedings to continue,” the statement said, urging members to make necessary arrangements to attend.
Earlier, while moving his motion, Chinda noted that the protest followed the government’s failure to implement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to the Ministers of Finance and Budget to settle debts owed to local contractors.
“You recall that our brothers and sisters, the local contractors, besieged the National Assembly today, protesting that they have not been paid for jobs completed under the 2024 budget. This non-payment has caused untold hardship to our people,” he said.
Following debate, the House resolved to give the Ministers of Finance, Wale Edun; Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamsedeen Ogunjimi, seven days to clear the outstanding debts and commence implementation of the 2025 budget.
The motion, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, was unanimously adopted.
Shortly after, Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu Mai-Palace (Zamfara) moved a follow-up motion urging the House to suspend plenary for one week to give room for leadership–executive consultations. Supporting the motion, Hon. Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, said it was a practical move since the protesting contractors had vowed to continue their demonstrations for a week.
“Members came late today because the roads were blocked by protesters. It’s sensible to step back and allow the executive to act,” Waive said.
Kalu subsequently ruled in favour of the adjournment — a resolution the House has now rescinded barely hours later.