Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday met with leaders of the National Assembly of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, hours after both chambers resumed plenary following a brief recess.

Among those present were Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Hope Uzodimma.

The officials arrived at the forecourt of the State House around 3:30 p.m. and departed about 30 minutes later, around 4:00 p.m., without addressing journalists. As of the time this report was filed, the purpose of the meeting had not been disclosed.

Earlier in the day, both chambers of the National Assembly of Nigeria reconvened at about 11:00 a.m. after postponing their initial resumption date of February 24. The delay allowed committees to conclude budget defence sessions with various ministries, departments and agencies.

The meeting came barely a week after President Tinubu hosted senators and members of the House of Representatives to separate Ramadan Iftar dinners, where he urged lawmakers to begin constitutional amendments that would pave the way for the establishment of state police as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.

Speaking during the Iftar with senators on February 25, President Tinubu called on lawmakers to commence deliberations on constitutional changes to allow the creation of state police.

“What I am asking for tonight is for you to start thinking about how best to amend the constitution to incorporate state police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” he said.

The President made a similar appeal to members of the House of Representatives during a separate Iftar on February 27, stressing the need to include constitutional safeguards to prevent potential abuse by state governors.

Earlier, on February 23, Tinubu also hosted state governors for an Iftar dinner at the Presidential Villa, where he reiterated his commitment to the creation of state police.

“What I promise you is not to be postponed. We will establish state police,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio had earlier urged Nigerians to hold their elected representatives accountable and engage them on issues affecting their communities.

He made the call while addressing lawmakers during the resumption of plenary following the brief adjournment that enabled committees to undertake legislative assignments.

Akpabio described the Senate as a “workshop of solutions” rather than merely a platform for political debate, stressing that the chamber remains focused on addressing national challenges through deliberate policy actions.

“The Senate is not merely a theatre of debate; it is a workshop of solutions. Where social media magnifies the noise of the moment, the Senate addresses the substance of the problem. Where the digital arena stirs emotion, the legislative process pursues resolution,” he said.

“I therefore encourage Nigerians everywhere: engage your representatives. Bring your concerns to those whom you have entrusted with the responsibility of speaking on your behalf. For it is through the instrument of representation that grievances are transformed into policy and concerns into action.”

He emphasised that citizen participation is vital in a democratic system, noting that lawmakers were elected to represent the interests and concerns of the people.

“We assemble once again in this Senate after our brief adjournment, which enabled our committees to carry out important legislative work. Yet we do so with the full knowledge that while legislatures may adjourn, the life of a nation never pauses.

“The burdens of governance do not take leave. The task of representation lies at the very heart of the democratic enterprise. Representation is not an abstraction written only in constitutional language. It is a living covenant between the people and those whom they elect to speak in their name,” he said.

Akpabio also acknowledged the growing influence of social media in shaping public discourse but maintained that legislative processes remain crucial in translating public concerns into concrete policy decisions.

He further highlighted the significance of the national budget currently before the legislature, describing it as a key policy instrument reflecting the country’s development priorities and aspirations.

“Among the pressing matters before this chamber stands the national budget, that great ledger of national purpose in which the hopes of millions are translated into the language of public policy. A budget is more than figures on paper. It is a declaration of national intention.

“It tells our citizens where we choose to invest our energies, what priorities we pursue, and what future we seek to build,” he added.