By George Ozalla
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has outlined the legislative priorities of the 10th National Assembly as the House enters the final phase of its four-year tenure, with the review of the 1999 Constitution and preparations for the 2027 budget topping the agenda.
Abbas announced the priorities on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing members of the House at the resumption of plenary after the annual recess.
He described the period as a consequential moment for the legislature and said lawmakers must concentrate on outstanding legislative business rather than allow political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections to distract them from their constitutional responsibilities.
“Our immediate priorities are therefore clear. First, we must bring the constitutional review process to a responsible conclusion,” the Speaker said.
He identified the proposed State Police Bill, the Reserved Legislative Seats for Women Bill and other outstanding constitutional amendment bills as matters requiring sustained engagement with the Senate and State Houses of Assembly.
On the 2027 budget, Abbas urged the Executive to submit the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) promptly to give lawmakers adequate time to examine the government’s fiscal proposals and prepare for the timely passage of the Appropriation Bill.
He also promised prompt and careful consideration of 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.
Abbas commended Tinubu for the request concerning the Geneva Conventions, noting that the measure would strengthen the protection of civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflicts.
The Speaker further stressed the need to safeguard the electoral process as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum. He said the Electoral Act must be faithfully applied and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) given the lawful support required to perform its duties.
He maintained that public institutions involved in the electoral process must discharge their responsibilities with neutrality, competence and restraint, adding that political competition must not displace the constitutional duties of elected representatives.
To address outstanding legislative business, Abbas proposed a focused 100-day legislative programme under which House committees would clear pending reports and bills within defined timelines.
He also proposed that Tuesdays and Thursdays should be devoted to major bills and urgent national matters, while urging members to improve their attendance at plenary and committee sittings.
The Speaker said important legislative proposals should not be allowed to expire because they had remained unattended, calling on lawmakers to make the best use of the time available before the expiration of the Assembly’s tenure.
He also proposed the publication of a comprehensive Legislative Scorecard and Legacy Report before the end of the 10th Assembly to enable Nigerians to assess the performance of the House against its stated commitments.
Giving an account of the House’s legislative activities, Abbas disclosed that by the middle of June 2026, the House had received 2,747 bills and passed 363. 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.
He added that the House had also processed hundreds of motions and public petitions during the period.
According to the Speaker, an internal assessment of the House’s performance against its Legislative Agenda indicated that approximately 65 to 70 per cent of its principal milestones had been completed.
He, however, cautioned that the number of bills passed was not, by itself, sufficient to determine legislative success, stressing that laws must address public problems, motions must lead to action, investigations must protect the public interest and oversight must improve the management of public resources.
“Our true record lies in the effect of our work on the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
Abbas acknowledged that political activities had intensified with the timetable for the 2027 general elections in place, candidates emerging and campaigns beginning. He also noted that political realignments and defections had taken place across party lines.
He urged members not to become consumed by political developments at the expense of their legislative responsibilities, reminding them that they remained bound by the Constitution and their oath of office, irrespective of their political affiliations or personal ambitions.
“The campaign must never become more important than the country,” he said.
The Speaker urged members to attend plenary and committee sittings faithfully and complete outstanding assignments, insisting that their constituents deserved the full measure of service for which they were elected.
“Legislation and oversight must not be abandoned for the campaign trail. Our constituents elected us for a full term, and they deserve a full term of service,” Abbas said.
The 10th National Assembly was inaugurated on June 13, 2023, for a four-year tenure. With the legislature now in its final phase, the Speaker has called on members to concentrate on constitutional amendments, the 2027 budget and other outstanding bills before the end of the Assembly.
