•House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has proposed a 100-day legislative programme to accelerate work on pending bills, clear outstanding committee reports and strengthen oversight, warning lawmakers against allowing preparations for the 2027 general elections to disrupt their constitutional duties.
Abbas made the proposal today while addressing members at the resumption of plenary after the House’s annual recess at the National Assembly in Abuja, reports The PUNCH.
He urged lawmakers to remain focused on their legislative responsibilities as political activities gather momentum ahead of the next general elections.
“The campaign must never become more important than the country,” the Speaker said, stressing that members owed their constituents a full term of service.
He also called for improved attendance at plenary and committee sittings, with Tuesdays and Thursdays to be devoted to major bills and urgent national issues under the proposed programme.
Abbas said the House would publish a comprehensive legislative scorecard and legacy report before the end of the 10th Assembly to enable Nigerians to assess its performance against its commitments.
“We must bring the constitutional review process to a responsible conclusion,” he said, identifying the proposed State Police Bill, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill and other outstanding constitutional alteration bills as priorities requiring sustained engagement with the Senate and state Houses of Assembly.
The Speaker also urged the executive to submit the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for the 2027 budget promptly to allow adequate time for legislative scrutiny and facilitate the timely passage of the Appropriation Bill.
He noted that the House would give priority to bills and requests transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, including the National Research Development Fund Bill and a request for the domestication of the Geneva Conventions and their relevant protocols.
According to Abbas, the latter request has national and diplomatic significance because it would strengthen protections for civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflicts.
On electoral matters, he called for strict compliance with the Electoral Act and adequate support for the Independent National Electoral Commission, insisting that public institutions involved in the elections must operate with neutrality, competence and restraint.
Abbas said the House had received 2,747 bills and passed 363 by mid-June 2026, adding that the rate of passage increased from about seven per cent in the first session to approximately 26 per cent in the third session.
The House had also processed hundreds of motions and public petitions, while its internal assessment indicated that it had completed between 65 and 70 per cent of the principal milestones in its legislative agenda.
However, the Speaker cautioned that legislative output should not be judged solely by the number of bills passed.
“A law must solve a problem. A motion must lead to action. An investigation must protect the public interest. Oversight must improve the management of public resources,” he said.
He added that the real measure of the House’s performance was the impact of its work on the lives of Nigerians.
The Speaker stressed that the 10th Assembly had entered its fourth and final session, making it imperative for lawmakers to complete priority legislation, conclude outstanding investigations and strengthen oversight before the end of their tenure.
He acknowledged that political realignments and defections had occurred across party lines during the recess but urged members not to allow partisan interests to undermine the institution.
“Whatever our political affiliations or personal ambitions, we remain members of one House. We are bound by one Constitution and one oath,” he said.
The Speaker also called for greater accountability in the management of increased public revenues, particularly at the state and local government levels, arguing that higher revenues should translate into improved roads, education, healthcare and security.
He acknowledged improvements in some economic indicators, including lower inflation and increased external reserves, but said the gains must translate into affordable food, productive employment, accessible credit and reliable public services.
Abbas also expressed concern over security challenges and natural disasters reported during the recess, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Borno, attacks and displacement in parts of Ondo, and destructive flooding and erosion in Enugu and Abia states.
He pledged continued legislative support for security agencies while emphasising the need for accountability in the use of public resources and powers.
The Speaker further defended the House’s decision on September 29 to extend the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act to December 31, saying the measure was intended to protect ongoing projects and prevent the waste of public investment.
He, however, insisted that the extension must lead to faster implementation and measurable results, adding that the House would continue to scrutinise fund releases, project timelines and performance.
As the Assembly enters its final phase, Abbas called on members across party lines to preserve the unity of the House and cooperate with the Executive and Judiciary, while respecting the constitutional independence of each arm of government.
He said the remaining months should be devoted to completing outstanding legislative priorities and demonstrating that the House had remained committed to public service until the end of its mandate.
