President Bola Tinubu has notified the House of Representatives of his decision to withhold assent to the National Identity Management Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2026.
The President in a letter to the House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas cited drafting errors and structural inconsistencies in the legislation, in accordance with Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
House Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who read the President’s letter during Tuesday’s plenary, noted that while the President acknowledged that the bill contains important reforms, the he argued that it is flawed in key respects.
President Tinubu noted that the long title does not adequately capture both the repeal and re-enactment of the existing Act.
The President highlighted inconsistencies in Section 4(2), which incorrectly describes institutional representatives on the board as part-time members appointed by the President, whereas they are ex officio members by virtue of their positions.
The letter further pointed out that Section 4(1)(b) establishes four executive commission members but fails to specify the appointing authority and does not clearly define the required qualifications and professional experience.
The President also pointed out Section 4(3) of the Bill, which subjects the appointment of the Chairman and Executive Commissioners to the confirmation of the Senate; a provision, he says conflicts with the provisions of section 171(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, which gives the President power to appoint Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments of the Government of the Federation howsoever designated.
President Tinubu outlined several other errors in the letter that resulted in his decision to withhold assent