By Aaron Ossai
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has unveiled a 100-day legislative programme to accelerate outstanding bills and reports, urging lawmakers to conclude priority legislation before the end of the 10th National Assembly.
Hon. Abbas announced the plan on Tuesday while welcoming lawmakers back from the 2026 annual recess at the resumption of plenary in Abuja.
He said the programme would prioritise major bills and urgent national issues, with committees expected to clear pending reports within specified timelines.
He said Tuesdays and Thursdays would also be devoted to key legislative business, while attendance at plenary and committee sittings would be improved.
The Speaker identified the State Police Bill, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill and other outstanding constitutional amendment proposals as priorities requiring sustained engagement with the Senate and state Houses of Assembly.
He also called on the executive to submit the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework promptly to enable lawmakers to scrutinise the 2027 budget and ensure timely passage of the Appropriation Bill.
Hon. Abbas said the House would give prompt attention to bills and requests from President Bola Tinubu, including the National Research Development Fund Bill and a request for the domestication of the Geneva Conventions and their relevant protocols.
He described the latter as significant for strengthening the protection of civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflicts.
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, the Speaker urged political leaders and public institutions to act responsibly; stressing that political competition must not overshadow constitutional duties.
He said the Electoral Act must be faithfully implemented and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC provided with the lawful support needed to perform its responsibilities.
Speaking further, Hon. Abbas also urged lawmakers not to abandon legislative duties for political campaigns, insisting that Nigerians deserved a full term of service from their elected representatives.
Reviewing the performance of the 10th Assembly, he disclosed that by mid-June 2026, the House had received 2,747 bills and passed 363. He added that 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 him, an internal assessment showed that the House had completed between 65 and 70 per cent of the principal milestones in its legislative agenda.
However, he maintained that legislative success should be measured by the impact of laws, motions, investigations and oversight activities on Nigerians rather than the volume of parliamentary business.
The Speaker also highlighted economic developments, including inflation falling to 15.39 per cent in August from 23.14 per cent a year earlier, and foreign reserves rising to $54.7bn in September, their highest level since 2009.
He, however, said the gains must translate into affordable food, employment, accessible credit and improved public services, while calling for greater accountability from governments at all levels.
On security and humanitarian challenges, Abbas expressed sympathy with families affected by schoolchildren’s abductions in Borno, attacks and displacement in Ondo, and floods and erosion in Enugu and Abia.
He further urged faster implementation of capital projects under the extended 2025 Appropriation Act, warning that the extension to December 31 must not become an excuse for delays.
Abbas said the House would publish its full legislative scorecard and legacy report before the end of the Assembly to enable Nigerians to assess its performance.
He urged lawmakers to remain united and focused during the final phase of the Assembly, saying the House must complete its priority legislation and strengthen oversight until the end of its mandate.
