The House of Representatives has confirmed readiness to receive President Bola Tinubu for the presentation of the 2025 budget estimates. Initially scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the event was postponed by 24 hours and will now take place on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.This decision, made in a display of unity, followed a motion moved by the House Leader and seconded by the Minority Leader, in accordance with Order Six, Rule 4 of the House Standing Orders, authorizing the President to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

The adjustment comes after Senate President Godswill Akpabio had earlier announced that the President would address a joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, before the schedule was revised. The House of Representatives has summoned the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion to appear before its Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, 20th December 2024, to explain the unconstitutional arrest of community leader Alh. Bello Badejo in Nasarawa State.

The House also called for the immediate release of Bello Badejo, an apology for violating his rights, and urged adherence to constitutional provisions. This followed a motion by Hon. Mansur Manu Soro, who informed the House that Bello Badejo was arrested on 9th December 2024 in Maliya Town, Nasarawa State, in connection with a misunderstanding involving a retired military general.

The lawmaker expressed concern over his continued detention without trial, describing it as a violation of Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution. Separately, the House resolved to investigate the non-delivery of 2,000 tractors and 100 combined harvesters under the Presidential Food Security Initiative and Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Drive.

Hon. Saba Ahmed Adam noted that despite agreements signed in 2023 between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, John Deere Tractors, and AFTRADE DMCC, no tractors or equipment have been delivered. He emphasized that this failure has hindered Nigeria’s food production goals, wasted two farming seasons, and undermined the Renewed Hope agenda on food security.