By Opeyemi Adelakun
President Bola Tinubu has declined assent to two bills passed by the National Assembly, citing constitutional inconsistencies and drafting flaws that must be corrected before they can become law.
The decision, conveyed in separate letters read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Thursday, affects the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Bill.
Tinubu said he withheld assent in line with Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to return bills to the National Assembly with observations for reconsideration.
The President said the Raw Materials Research and Development Council amendment bill contained structural defects, including inconsistencies in its objectives and provisions that made the proposed law disjointed and difficult to implement.
He also faulted aspects of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Bill, arguing that some provisions sought to grant the institute regulatory powers beyond its legal mandate, including authority to compel organisations to submit information and carry out compliance inspections.
While acknowledging the importance of the proposed legislation, Tinubu said the identified issues should be addressed before the bills are returned for presidential assent.
Following the President’s communication, the Senate referred both bills to its Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action, directing the panel to report back within four weeks.
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