*Urges Executive To Submit MTEF, Says House Must Not Abandon Legislative Duties For 2027 Campaigns
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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called for deliberate efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s electoral process as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing lawmakers on Tuesday following the resumption of plenary, Abbas said the Electoral Act 2026 must be faithfully applied, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should receive the lawful support necessary to discharge its responsibilities.
He also urged all public institutions involved in the electoral process to act with neutrality, competence and restraint.
“We resume at a consequential moment. Political activity is increasing. The timetable for the 2027 general elections is in place. Candidates have emerged, campaigns have begun, and Nigerians are watching their political leaders and democratic institutions closely,” Abbas said.
“Our conduct must justify their confidence. Debate may be vigorous, but it must remain responsible. Political competition must not displace our constitutional duties.”
The Speaker noted that the political season had already triggered realignments and defections across party lines, but cautioned lawmakers against allowing partisan considerations to overshadow their constitutional responsibilities.
“Whatever our political affiliations or personal ambitions, we remain members of one House. We are bound by one Constitution and one oath. The campaign must never become more important than the country,” he said.
Abbas also urged the Executive to promptly submit the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework to the National Assembly to allow sufficient time for proper consideration and provide a sound basis for the timely passage of the 2027 Appropriation Bill.
He assured that the House would give prompt and careful attention to bills and requests transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, including the National Research Development Fund Bill and proposals relating to the domestication of the Geneva Conventions and their relevant protocols.
According to him, the latter would strengthen protections for civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflict.
The Speaker also directed House committees to clear outstanding reports and bills, warning that important legislative proposals should not be allowed to lapse because they remained unattended.
He proposed a focused 100-day legislative programme under which committees would be required to clear outstanding reports within defined timelines.
On the economy, Abbas said Nigeria had recorded improvements in some indicators, citing economic growth above four per cent, inflation of 15.39 per cent in August, external reserves of $54.7 billion in September and a trade surplus exceeding ₦20 trillion in the first half of 2026.
He, however, stressed that the gains must translate into affordable food, productive employment, accessible credit and dependable public services.
“These gains are encouraging, but the work is incomplete. Our task is to translate greater economic stability into affordable food, productive employment, accessible credit and dependable public services,” he said.
Abbas also said increased public revenue had placed greater responsibility on the federal, state and local governments to provide better roads, schools, healthcare and security.
He explained that the House extended the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act to December 31, 2026, to protect ongoing projects and prevent the waste of public investment.
According to him, the extension must result in faster implementation and measurable outcomes, adding that the House would continue to scrutinise releases, implementation timelines and performance.
Reviewing the performance of the 10th House, Abbas said that by mid-June 2026, the chamber had received 2,747 bills and passed 363, with its passage rate increasing from about seven per cent in the first session to about 26 per cent in the third.
He said legislative success should not be measured 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. Our true record lies in how our work affects the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
The Speaker added that an internal assessment showed the House had completed approximately 65 to 70 per cent of the principal milestones contained in its Legislative Agenda.
He identified the conclusion of the constitutional review process as one of the House’s immediate priorities, pointing to the State Police Bill, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill and other outstanding constitutional alteration proposals requiring continued engagement with the Senate and State Houses of Assembly.
Abbas said the House would publish its full Legislative Scorecard and Legacy Report before the expiration of the current Assembly.
“Nigerians should be able to compare our commitments with our performance,” he said.
He urged lawmakers to continue attending plenary and committee sittings despite the approaching elections, stressing that legislative and oversight responsibilities must not be abandoned for campaigns.
“Our constituents elected us for a full term, and they deserve a full term of service,” he said.
Abbas also called for cooperation among the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary in accordance with the constitutional independence of each arm, while urging civil society organisations, professional bodies, the media and citizens to continue holding the House accountable.
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