Nigeria's Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has cautioned lawmakers against neglecting their legislative responsibilities for election campaigns. On October 13, as the House reconvened in Abuja, Abbas urged members to prioritize their duties, emphasizing that constituents elected them to serve a full term. He stressed the importance of attending plenary and committee sittings regularly.
The warning comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled presidential and National Assembly election campaigns to begin on August 19, 2026, and governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on September 9. The House had adjourned on July 23 and postponed its September 15 resumption to allow for rehabilitation work in the legislative chambers.
Abbas reminded lawmakers that their constituents expect them to fulfill their legislative obligations. He emphasized that legislation and oversight must not be abandoned for campaign trails. The Speaker highlighted that the 10th National Assembly has entered its final phase, making it crucial for lawmakers to complete outstanding assignments and assess their performance.
According to Abbas, the House received 2,747 bills and passed 363 by mid-June 2026. The rate of passage increased from about 7% in the first session to approximately 26% in the third. However, he cautioned against measuring legislative success solely by the number of bills passed, stressing that laws, motions, and investigations must deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.
The Speaker proposed a focused 100-day legislative program to accelerate outstanding work. He suggested that committees clear pending reports within defined timelines and prioritize major bills and urgent national issues on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Abbas also announced plans to publish a comprehensive Legislative Scorecard and Legacy Report before the end of the Assembly.
Key priorities for the House include concluding the constitutional review process, work on the State Police Bill, and the Reserved Seats for Women Bill. Abbas urged the Executive to submit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework promptly to allow sufficient time for consideration of the 2027 budget. The House will give prompt attention to bills and requests from President Bola Tinubu.
On the 2027 elections, Abbas called for faithful application of the Electoral Act and urged public institutions to maintain neutrality while providing lawful support to INEC. He pledged continued scrutiny of the implementation of the extended 2025 capital budget and warned that the extension must not become an excuse for further delays.
Key points
- The Speaker emphasized that lawmakers must prioritize national interest over personal ambitions and party affiliations.
- The House has completed between 65 and 70 percent of the principal milestones in its Legislative Agenda.
- The Speaker proposed a focused 100-day legislative program to accelerate outstanding work.
