Abbas Unveils 100-Day Legislative Plan

….Sets 2027 Budget, Electoral Reforms as Priorities

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has unveiled a 100-day legislative programme to accelerate pending bills, clear outstanding committee reports and strengthen oversight as the 10th National Assembly resumes plenary after its 2026 annual recess.

Abbas announced the plan on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, while outlining the House’s priorities for the final phase of the 10th Assembly, including preparations for the 2027 budget, constitutional amendments, electoral reforms and improved attendance at plenary and committee sittings.

He also called on lawmakers to ensure that political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections do not distract them from their constitutional responsibilities.

“The campaign must never become more important than the country,” the Speaker said, urging members to remain focused on legislation and oversight until the end of the Assembly’s mandate.

Under the proposed 100-day programme, House committees are expected to clear outstanding reports within defined timelines, while Tuesdays and Thursdays will prioritise major bills and urgent national issues.

Abbas also proposed publishing a comprehensive Legislative Scorecard and Legacy Report before the end of the Assembly to enable Nigerians to assess lawmakers’ performance against their commitments.

House records 363 bills passed

Providing an account of the House’s legislative performance, Abbas disclosed that by mid-June 2026, the 10th Assembly had received 2,747 bills and passed 363.

He said the bill passage rate increased from approximately seven per cent in the first session to about 26 per cent in the third session.

According to him, the House’s internal assessment showed that it had completed between 65 and 70 per cent of the principal milestones in its Legislative Agenda.

However, the Speaker stressed that legislative performance should not be measured solely by the number of bills passed, but by the impact of laws, motions, investigations and oversight activities on Nigerians.

“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.

Constitutional amendments, state police top agenda

Abbas identified the conclusion of the constitutional review process as one of the House’s immediate priorities, calling for sustained engagement with the Senate and State Houses of Assembly.

He specifically highlighted the proposed State Police Bill, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill and other outstanding constitutional alteration bills as measures requiring further legislative attention.

The Speaker also urged the Executive to submit the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) promptly to give lawmakers sufficient time to scrutinise the proposals and facilitate the timely passage of the 2027 Appropriation Bill.

He said the House would also give prompt consideration to bills and requests transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, including the National Research Development Fund Bill.

Abbas further disclosed that the House had received a presidential request on the domestication of the Geneva Conventions and their relevant protocols.

He said the measure was significant for protecting civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflicts, and commended Tinubu for transmitting the request.

Abbas demands strict compliance with Electoral Act

With political activities intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Speaker urged public institutions to safeguard the electoral process by ensuring strict compliance with the Electoral Act.

He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must receive the lawful support required to discharge its responsibilities, while all public institutions involved in the elections must operate with neutrality, competence and restraint.

Abbas acknowledged the political realignments and defections taking place across party lines but urged lawmakers not to allow political ambitions to undermine the work of the House.

“Whatever our political affiliations or personal ambitions, we remain members of one House. We are bound by one Constitution and one oath,” he said.

He further urged members to maintain regular attendance at plenary and committee sittings, warning that legislative duties must not be abandoned for campaign activities.

Speaker highlights economic gains, calls for better living conditions

Reviewing developments since the House adjourned on July 23, Abbas cited economic growth above four per cent, a decline in inflation to 15.39 per cent in August and an increase in external reserves to $54.7 billion in September.

He also referenced Nigeria’s reported trade surplus of more than ₦20 trillion in the first half of 2026, describing the economic indicators as encouraging while acknowledging that challenges remain.

According to him, the priority should be to translate macroeconomic improvements into affordable food, productive employment, accessible credit and reliable public services.

The Speaker also pointed to investment prospects in ports, power, agriculture and industry, citing the proposed $7 billion Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Economic Zone as an example of projects that could support employment and exports.

He called for greater accountability in the management of increased public revenues by federal, state and local governments, insisting that higher revenues should translate into better roads, schools, healthcare and safer communities.

Security challenges, floods draw concern

Abbas expressed concern over reports of abducted schoolchildren in Borno State, attacks and displacement in parts of Ondo State, as well as destructive flooding and erosion in Enugu and Abia states during the recess.

He sympathised with affected families and communities, calling for prompt relief and lasting protection.

The Speaker said security agencies would continue to receive the support they required but stressed that they must remain accountable for the resources and authority entrusted to them.

He also recalled that the House, on September 29, extended the implementation period for the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act to December 31, 2026, to protect ongoing projects and prevent waste of public investment.

Abbas said the extension must lead to faster project execution and measurable results, adding that the House would continue to scrutinise budget releases, implementation timelines and performance.

Abbas urges lawmakers to finish strong

As the 10th Assembly enters its final phase, the Speaker called for cooperation among lawmakers, the Executive, the Judiciary, civil society, professional bodies, the media and constituents.

He thanked the House leadership, committee members, minority caucus, National Assembly staff and journalists for their contributions to the institution’s work.

Abbas said the remaining months would test the commitment of lawmakers to their constitutional responsibilities, urging them to complete priority legislation and strengthen oversight before the end of their tenure.

“Let the record show that the Tenth House completed its priority legislation, strengthened oversight, and served the Nigerian people until the final day of its mandate,” he said.