President Bola Tinubu has declined assent to two bills passed by the National Assembly, citing constitutional inconsistencies, drafting errors, and provisions that exceed statutory authority.
The President’s decision, communicated in separate letters to the Senate and read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, affects the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Bill.
Invoking Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Tinubu explained that the bills require significant corrections before they can be signed into law.
Regarding the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Amendment Bill, the President noted that its title does not accurately reflect its core objective of promoting, protecting, and developing Nigeria’s raw materials. He also identified structural inconsistencies, including the misrepresentation of the council’s operational functions as legislative objectives and poorly arranged amendments that make the bill disjointed and difficult to interpret.
On the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Bill, Tinubu acknowledged several positive amendments but objected to clauses that would grant the institute regulatory powers beyond its legal mandate. He argued that the institute cannot compel independent organisations to report procurement appointments or exercise inspection and enforcement powers over entities it does not regulate.
Despite withholding assent, the President indicated that both bills could be reconsidered once the identified constitutional and legislative issues are addressed.
Following the presentation of the letters, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the bills to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, directing the committee to submit its report within four weeks.
Under Section 58(4) of the Constitution, the President has the authority to return bills to the National Assembly with observations for review. Lawmakers may revise the legislation in line with those recommendations or, where necessary, invoke constitutional procedures to override a presidential veto.
