President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially written to the House of Representatives, declining assent to the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Establishment Amendment Bill, 2025. The letter, read on the floor by the Speaker, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, during Tuesday’s plenary, stated that while the objectives of the bill were commendable, certain provisions conflicted with existing laws and federal government policies.

According to the President, the contentious provisions relate to the funding of agencies under the National Assembly, taxation of national entities, public service regulations, and aspects of aid and service years.He warned that allowing the bill to become law would set an unsustainable precedent against public interest.

He urged the House to address the identified issues in the legislation. Meanwhile, the political atmosphere in the House grew tense as two lawmakers defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). 

The Speaker read letters from Hon. Peter Akpanke of Cross River State, who left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Hon. Paul Nnamchi of Enugu State, who defected from the Labour Party (LP), both joining the APC. Following the announcement, Minority Whip Hon. George Ozodinobi raised a point of order, expressing his sentiments over the defections