Tinubu declines assent to NDLEA establishment bill

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withheld assent to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) establishment bill, citing constitutional inconsistencies.

The announcement was made on Thursday during a House of Representatives plenary session, where Speaker Abbas Tajudeen read the President’s official communication.

According to the letter, President Tinubu invoked Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution to justify his decision. He explained that a key amendment in the proposed bill—granting the NDLEA the authority to retain a percentage of proceeds from drug-related crimes for its operations—conflicts with existing legal provisions. Under Nigerian law, all proceeds of crime must be deposited into a designated government account, not retained by any agency.

According to him, only the President is allowed by law to order withdrawing from such account with the approval of the National Assembly which tends to promote the spirit of accountability and mutual respect between the Executive and the Legislature.

Also at plenary, another member of the Labour Party from Enugu state, Sam Atu announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress, citing the prolonged leadership crisis in the party for his action.

Atu, in a letter read at plenary by the Speaker he decided to dump the Labour Party after a holistic consultation with his constituents and stakeholders.

He said the persistent crisis both at the state and national level of the party has resulted in the inability to offer constructive representation to his people.

He said he decided to pitch tent with the APC APC and cue into the renewed hope agenda of the President in view of the determination of the President to develop the South East as exemplified by the establishment of the South East Development Commission.

Minority Whip of the House, Ali Isa JC asked the Speaker to declare the seat of the lawmaker vacant, alleging that his defection contravene section 68(1g) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

(Nation)