The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday urged President Bola Tinubu to submit the 2027 budget estimates and the 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) to the National Assembly for legislative scrutiny.
Hon. Tajudeen, who gave the cost whereas welcoming lawmakers again from their annual recess, stated early submission of the fiscal paperwork would give the legislature adequate time to look at the federal government’s spending proposals and facilitate well timed passage of the 2027 Appropriation Bill.
He stated the House would additionally prioritise excellent constitutional modification proposals, together with the State Police Bill, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill and different pending payments, stressing the necessity for sustained engagement with the Senate and State Houses of Assembly to carry the constitutional overview course of to a accountable conclusion.
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“Second, the House will focus on preparations for the 2027 budget. We urge the Executive to submit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework promptly to allow sufficient time for thorough consideration and lay a sound foundation for the timely passage of the Appropriation Bill,” the Speaker stated.
Ahead of the 2027 basic elections, Hon. Tajudeen reaffirmed the dedication of the tenth Assembly to safeguarding the electoral course of, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to faithfully implement the Electoral Act and urging all public establishments concerned within the elections to discharge their duties with neutrality, competence and restraint.
“The Electoral Act must be faithfully applied, and the Independent National Electoral Commission must receive the lawful support required to perform its duties. Every public institution involved in the elections must act with neutrality, competence and restraint,” he stated.
To speed up legislative enterprise in the course of the remaining months of the Assembly, the Speaker proposed a targeted 100-day legislative programme, directing standing and advert hoc committees to clear excellent stories and payments inside outlined timelines. He additionally urged lawmakers to enhance attendance at plenary and committee sittings, whereas giving precedence to main payments and pressing nationwide issues on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Speaker Tajudeen additional proposed the publication of the House’s complete Legislative Scorecard and Legacy Report earlier than the tip of the present Assembly, saying Nigerians deserved a chance to assess the lawmakers’ efficiency towards their commitments.
He described the resumption as occurring at a consequential second, with political actions gathering momentum forward of the 2027 elections, warning legislators towards permitting partisan competitors to undermine their constitutional duties.
“Our conduct must justify their confidence. Debate may be vigorous, but it must remain responsible. Political competition must not displace our constitutional duties,” he stated, including that lawmakers should stay targeted on delivering their legislative mandate regardless of political realignments and defections throughout celebration traces.
Assessing the nation’s financial scenario for the reason that House adjourned on July 23, the Speaker cited reported enhancements in key indicators, together with financial progress above 4 per cent, a decline in inflation to 15.39 per cent in August from 23.14 per cent a yr earlier, and exterior reserves reaching $54.7 billion in September, their highest stage since 2009. He additionally cited a commerce surplus exceeding N20 trillion within the first half of 2026.
“These gains are encouraging, but the work is incomplete. Our task is to convert greater economic stability into affordable food, productive employment, accessible credit and dependable public services,” Hon. Tajudeen stated.
He additionally highlighted rising funding commitments in ports, energy, agriculture and business, citing the proposed $7 billion Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Economic Zone for instance of tasks that would generate employment, enhance exports and strengthen Nigeria’s place in African commerce. However, he harassed that elevated public revenues should translate into higher infrastructure, stronger colleges, safer communities and more practical healthcare, notably on the sub-national stage.
On safety and humanitarian challenges in the course of the almost three-month recess, the Speaker expressed grief over the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Borno State, assaults and displacement in components of Ondo State, in addition to harmful flooding and erosion in Enugu and Abia states.
He due to this fact referred to as for immediate reduction and lasting safety for affected communities, whereas reiterating the necessity for safety companies to stay alert for the sources and authority entrusted to them.
The Speaker additionally defended the House’s resolution on September 29 to prolong the capital element of the 2025 Appropriation Act to December 31, explaining that the measure was meant to defend ongoing tasks and forestall waste of public funding.
He, nevertheless, warned that the extension should end in sooner implementation and measurable outcomes, including that the House would proceed to scrutinise fund releases, mission timelines and efficiency.
Reviewing the legislative document of the tenth Assembly, Hon. Tajudeen disclosed that by the center of June 2026, the House had acquired 2,747 payments and handed 363, with the passage fee rising from roughly seven per cent within the first session to about 26 per cent within the third session.
He stated the House had additionally processed a whole bunch of motions and public petitions, whereas its inside evaluation indicated that roughly 65 to 70 per cent of the principal milestones in its Legislative Agenda had been accomplished.
He cautioned, nevertheless, that legislative efficiency shouldn’t be measured by the amount of payments handed alone, however by their impression on residents and public establishments. “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 stated.
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