Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, has declined to assent to the Energy Commission Amendment Bill, 2018.

In a letter dated January 4 addressed to the senate president, Bukola Saraki, President Buhari said the Bill is “unconstitutional”.

The letter was read out by the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu to the house on Thursday.

According to the letter, President Buhari said the proposal in section 8 of the bill for the Energy Commission to receive an annual subversion of not less than 0.5 percent from the federation account is “unconstitutional” because it negates the clear provisions of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended with regards to appropriations and disbursements from federation accounts.

He also said the bill infringes on the Rural Electrification Agency’s power to carry out its mandate in particular reference to the promotion and development of unserved and under-served rural communities across Nigeria.

Other Bills rejected by the president are the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission Amendment Bill, RMAFC, 2018; Bankruptcy and Insolvency Bill, 2018, Federal Polytechnic Amendment Bill, 2018, and Maritime Security Operations Coordinating Board Amendment Bills 2018.