Tinubu meets National Assembly leaders at the Presidential Villa after lawmakers resumed plenary and continued deliberations on the national budget

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with key leaders of the National Assembly of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, hours after both legislative chambers resumed plenary following a brief recess.

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Among those present at the meeting were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele,

Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.

The delegation arrived at the forecourt of the State House at about 3:30 pm and departed roughly 30 minutes later without addressing journalists.

Officials did not disclose the purpose of the meeting at the time of filing this report.

The development comes shortly after lawmakers returned to legislative business earlier on Tuesday at 11:00 am, following the postponement of the original February 24 resumption date.

The adjustment had allowed parliamentary committees to conclude budget defence sessions with ministries, departments and agencies.

The meeting also follows recent engagements between the President and federal lawmakers during Ramadan.

Last week, President Bola Tinubu hosted senators and members of the House of Representatives to separate Iftar dinners at the Presidential Villa, where the Nigerian leader urged legislators to begin work on constitutional amendments that could enable the establishment of state police.

During the dinner with senators on February 25, President Bola Tinubu called on lawmakers to consider constitutional changes aimed at strengthening the country’s internal security architecture.

“What I am asking for tonight is for you to start thinking about how best to amend the constitution to incorporate state police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” the President said.

President Bola Tinubu made a similar appeal to members of the House of Representatives during another Ramadan dinner on February 27, urging them to ensure that any constitutional amendment establishing state police includes safeguards against potential abuse by state governors.

Earlier on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio addressed lawmakers at the resumption of plenary, encouraging Nigerians to actively engage their elected representatives and hold them accountable on issues affecting their communities.

Godswill Akpabio described the Senate as a vital forum for practical solutions rather than a platform for mere political debate.

“The Senate is not merely a theatre of debate; it is a workshop of solutions,” Godswill Akpabio said, emphasising that legislative deliberations remain central to addressing the nation’s pressing challenges.

The Senate President also highlighted the importance of the national budget currently under consideration by lawmakers, describing it as a critical policy instrument that reflects the country’s development priorities.

According to Godswill Akpabio, the budget represents more than financial figures and instead serves as a declaration of the nation’s strategic direction and aspirations.

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“A budget is more than figures on paper. It is a declaration of national intention,” Godswill Akpabio said, adding that the document reflects where the country intends to direct its resources and the future it hopes to build.