The House of Representatives said it will prioritise the passage of outstanding constitutional amendment bills, including the proposed establishment of state police and reserved seats for women, as lawmakers resumed plenary after the 2026 annual recess
The House of Representatives has identified the passage of outstanding constitutional amendment bills, including the proposed establishment of state police and reserved seats for women, as its immediate legislative priorities as lawmakers resumed plenary after the 2026 annual recess.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, said the House would work with the Senate and State Houses of Assembly to conclude the constitutional review process as the 10th National Assembly enters its final phase.
Abbas disclosed this on Tuesday while delivering his remarks at the resumption of plenary, stressing that lawmakers must remain focused on their constitutional responsibilities despite increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Our immediate priorities are therefore clear. First, we must bring the constitutional review process to a responsible conclusion. The State Police Bill, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill and other outstanding alteration bills require sustained engagement with the Senate and the State Houses of Assembly,” he said.
The Speaker said the final stretch of the 10th Assembly offered lawmakers an opportunity to assess their performance and complete outstanding legislative commitments before the expiration of their mandate.
He noted that political realignments, defections and the growing demands of the election season must not distract lawmakers from legislation and oversight.
“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,” Abbas said.
The House also listed preparations for the 2027 budget, consideration of bills and requests from President Bola Tinubu, protection of the electoral process and the clearance of outstanding committee reports among its key priorities for the remaining months of the Assembly.
On budget preparations, Abbas urged the Executive to submit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework promptly to give lawmakers sufficient time to scrutinise the proposals and facilitate the timely passage of the Appropriation Bill.
He said the House would also give prompt attention to the National Research Development Fund Bill and a request received on Tuesday for the domestication of the Geneva Conventions and their relevant protocols.
According to the Speaker, the proposed domestication of the international humanitarian law instruments would strengthen protections for civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflicts.
He commended Tinubu for the initiative, describing it as a move with national and diplomatic significance.
Abbas further stressed the need to safeguard the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging strict compliance with the Electoral Act and the provision of lawful support to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said all public institutions involved in the elections must operate with neutrality, competence and restraint.
The Speaker also directed attention to outstanding committee reports and bills awaiting legislative action, warning that important proposals should not be allowed to expire because they remained unattended.
To accelerate legislative business, Abbas proposed a focused 100-day legislative programme under which committees would clear outstanding reports within defined timelines.
He also proposed that Tuesdays and Thursdays be devoted primarily to major bills and urgent national issues, while calling for improved attendance at plenary and committee sittings.
The Speaker said the House would publish its full Legislative Scorecard and Legacy Report before the end of the 10th Assembly to enable Nigerians to assess its performance against the commitments outlined in its Legislative Agenda.
Providing an account of the House’s legislative output, Abbas disclosed that the chamber had received 2,747 bills and passed 363 by the middle of June 2026.
He said the rate of passage increased from approximately seven per cent in the first session to about 26 per cent in the third session, while the House also processed hundreds of motions and public petitions.
According to him, an internal assessment indicated that the House had completed between 65 and 70 per cent of the principal milestones in its Legislative Agenda.
However, Abbas maintained that legislative performance should not be measured solely by the volume of bills passed but by their impact on citizens and public institutions.
“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 the effect of our work on the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
The Speaker also called for improved implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act following the House’s decision on September 29 to extend the capital component of the budget until December 31, 2026.
He explained that the extension was intended to protect ongoing projects and prevent the waste of public investment, adding that it must lead to faster implementation and measurable results.
The House, he said, would continue to scrutinise fund releases, project timelines and implementation performance.
On the country’s economic situation, Abbas acknowledged improvements in key indicators but said the gains must translate into affordable food, productive employment, accessible credit and reliable public services.
He 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 $54.7bn in September as signs of progress.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s trade surplus of more than N20tn in the first half of 2026, saying increased public revenues had created greater capacity for governments to deliver essential services.
However, he stressed that higher revenues also imposed greater accountability obligations, particularly on state and local governments.
The Speaker called for improved security and assistance for communities affected by violence, abductions, flooding and erosion, citing reports of abducted schoolchildren in Borno, attacks and displacement in parts of Ondo, and destructive flooding and erosion in Enugu and Abia during the recess.
He said affected communities required prompt relief and lasting protection, while security agencies must remain accountable for the resources and authority entrusted to them.
Abbas urged lawmakers to attend plenary and committee sittings regularly, warning that legislative duties must not be abandoned for campaign activities.
“Our constituents elected us for a full term, and they deserve a full term of service,” he said.
He added that the final phase of the Assembly would test lawmakers’ commitment to their responsibilities, expressing the expectation that the 10th House would complete its priority legislation, strengthen oversight and serve Nigerians until the end of its mandate.
