Federal Lawmakers Suspend Plenary Following Gombe Colleague's Death

The Nigerian House of Representatives on Tuesday halted its plenary proceedings until Wednesday, a mark of respect for the late Honourable Bauchi Tongo, who represented the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State. Honourable Tongo passed away last month.

Upon resuming from their end-of-legislative-year recess, the House held a brief session before observing the customary National Assembly tradition of adjourning in honour of a deceased member. The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, presided over the session, guiding members through a moment of silence to reflect on the life of their departed colleague before announcing the suspension of activities.

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Honourable Tongo died on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, after a short illness. During the short plenary, legislators offered prayers for the eternal rest of his soul. Honourable Usman Kumo (APC, Gombe) led the Muslim prayers, while Honourable Cyril Hart (APC, Rivers) led the Christian prayers.

In his address announcing the adjournment, Deputy Speaker Kalu encouraged members to attend the next sitting as a tribute to their late colleague, even though no legislative business was scheduled for the day. He stated, "Honourable members, we are adjourning today’s plenary in honour of our colleague, Hon Bauchi Tongo, who passed on a few weeks ago. Even though we are not holding a plenary session today, members still need to come to honour one of our own because we don’t know when your turn will come. We pray that God will rest his soul."

The House of Representatives is expected to resume full legislative duties on Wednesday.