…Unveils 100-day legislative push, targets outstanding bills and committee reports
By Christiana Ekpa
ABUJA — Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has warned lawmakers against abandoning legislative duties for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that Nigerians deserve a full term of service from their elected representatives.
Abbas issued the warning on Tuesday as the House resumed plenary after its annual recess, unveiling a 100-day legislative programme to accelerate pending bills, clear outstanding committee reports and consolidate the achievements of the 10th National Assembly.
With political activities gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, the Speaker urged members to remain focused on their constitutional responsibilities, insisting that political ambitions must not take precedence over national interest.
“Our constituents elected us for a full term, and they deserve a full term of service,” he said.
Under the proposed programme, House committees are expected to clear outstanding reports within defined timelines, while Tuesdays and Thursdays will be prioritised for major bills and urgent national business. Abbas also called for improved attendance at plenary and committee sittings.
The Speaker identified constitutional amendments, the 2027 budget, presidential requests and electoral reforms as key priorities for the remaining months of the Assembly.
He specifically highlighted the State Police Bill, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill and other pending constitutional alteration bills, which require continued engagement with the Senate and State Houses of Assembly.
Abbas also urged the Executive to submit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework promptly to enable the National Assembly to scrutinise the 2027 budget proposals and facilitate timely passage of the Appropriation Bill.
363 Bills Passed Out of 2,747
Providing an update on the House’s legislative performance, Abbas disclosed that lawmakers had received 2,747 bills and passed 363 as of mid-June 2026. The House had also processed hundreds of motions and public petitions.
He said the rate of passage increased from about seven per cent in the first session to approximately 26 per cent in the third session.
According to the Speaker, the House’s internal assessment indicated that it had achieved between 65 and 70 per cent of the principal milestones in its Legislative Agenda.
He, however, cautioned that the number of bills passed was not the only measure of legislative success, stressing that legislation must address citizens’ problems, investigations must protect the public interest, and oversight must improve the management of public resources.
Abbas further proposed the publication of a comprehensive Legislative Scorecard and Legacy Report before the end of the Assembly to allow Nigerians to assess the lawmakers’ performance.
Tinubu’s Requests, Electoral Preparations
The Speaker said the House would give prompt consideration to requests from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the National Research Development Fund Bill and a request received on Tuesday for the domestication of the Geneva Conventions and their relevant protocols.
He described the latter as important to Nigeria’s national and diplomatic interests, particularly in strengthening protections for civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflict.
On the 2027 elections, Abbas called for strict compliance with the Electoral Act and adequate lawful support for the Independent National Electoral Commission, urging public institutions involved in the process to remain neutral and professional.
He also cautioned lawmakers against allowing party defections and political realignments to distract them from their responsibilities.
“The campaign must never become more important than the country,” he declared.
Economy Shows Progress, Challenges Remain
Reviewing developments during the recess, Abbas cited economic growth above four per cent, a decline in inflation to 15.39 per cent in August from 23.14 per cent a year earlier, and external reserves of $54.7 billion in September.
He also pointed to a trade surplus exceeding N20 trillion in the first half of 2026, describing the figures as encouraging but insisting that Nigerians must feel the benefits through lower living costs, jobs, accessible credit and improved public services.
The Speaker called for greater accountability in the use of public revenues, particularly by state and local governments, stressing that increased revenue must translate into better roads, schools, healthcare and security.
He also expressed sympathy for victims of insecurity, including families affected by the abduction of schoolchildren in Borno State, attacks and displacement in parts of Ondo State, and flooding and erosion in Enugu and Abia states.
Abbas called for urgent relief and lasting protection for affected communities, while emphasising the need to hold security agencies accountable for the resources and authority entrusted to them.
Budget Extension Must Deliver Results
The Speaker recalled that the House had extended the implementation period for the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act to December 31, 2026, to protect ongoing projects and prevent waste.
He warned that the extension must result in faster project execution and measurable outcomes, adding that the House would continue to scrutinise releases, timelines and performance.
As the 10th Assembly enters its final phase, Abbas urged lawmakers to complete their priority legislation, strengthen oversight and maintain their commitment to national development until the end of their mandate.
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