President Bola Tinubu has refused to approve the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bill, 2025.
This decision was conveyed in a letter read by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, during Thursday’s plenary session.
The bill aimed to grant the NDLEA authority to retain a portion of proceeds from drug-related crimes. However, Tinubu argued that this provision conflicts with existing financial regulations.
In Tinubu’s letter, he said under the current system, “All proceeds of crime are paid into the government’s Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account.
“Disbursements to any recovery agency, including the NDLEA, can only be made by presidential approval, subject to the consent of the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.”
President Bola Tinubu emphasized that the current procedure ensures accountability and oversight, rendering changes unnecessary.
Thursday’s rejection marked the second time this week that Tinubu declined assent to a proposed bill. On Tuesday, he vetoed the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Amendment Bill, 2025, citing conflicts with federal laws and policies, particularly regarding agency funding, taxation, and remuneration structures.
Despite these rejections, Tinubu is poised to approve four landmark tax reform bills aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue system.
The bills — the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill — were recently passed by the National Assembly following extensive consultations with stakeholders and interest groups.
Lawmaker Moves To APC
A member of the House of Representatives, Chimaobi Atu from Enugu State, announced his defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday. Atu attributed his decision to ongoing leadership crises within the Labour Party.
His defection followed that of Peter Akpanke, representing the Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara Federal Constituency in Cross River State, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC earlier in the week.
Similarly, Paul Nnamchi, representing the Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, also exited the Labour Party to join the APC.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas formally announced the lawmakers’ defections during Tuesday’s plenary session.