Senate, House of Representatives Postpone Plenary
Lawmakers who were scheduled to reconvene today have postponed plenary sessions to allow committees and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to conclude the 2026 budget defence process.
The leadership of the National Assembly announced the postponement to enable committees to complete their work on the 2026 budget review. The decision was communicated in an internal memo issued on Monday by the Acting Clerk of the House, Ibrahim Sidi, and addressed to all members.
According to the memo, the postponement became necessary because several MDAs have yet to complete their appearances before the relevant committees as part of the ongoing 2026 appropriation exercise.
“In light of the ongoing 2026 Budget Defence by Ministries, Departments and Agencies which remains substantially incomplete, the leadership of both Houses hereby directs the postponement of plenary sitting to allow committees conclude their budget defence accordingly,” the memo stated.
Plenary, which was earlier scheduled to resume on Tuesday, 24 February, will now reconvene on Thursday, 5 March at 11:00 a.m.
The leadership expressed regret for any inconvenience the change may cause and encouraged members to use the additional time to refine their contributions and strengthen deliberations on the budget proposals.
The House had initially adjourned plenary last Tuesday to allow standing committees to continue detailed scrutiny of the 2026 budget estimates presented by MDAs. However, the volume of presentations and the need for further clarifications from some agencies appear to have slowed the process, making an extension necessary.
Valedictory Session Planned
Upon resumption, the House is expected to hold a valedictory session in honour of Senator Barinada Mpigi, who passed away last Thursday.
Mr. Mpigi represented the Rivers South-East Senatorial District until his death. Lawmakers are expected to pay tribute to the late senator during the special sitting.
