Honorable Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives, emphasized the urgent need for the Green Chamber to conclude electoral reforms well before the 2027 general elections.
He highlighted that the proposed Electoral Act Amendment Bill aims to enhance protections against electoral violence, improve accessibility for persons with disabilities, and set definitive deadlines for dispute resolution. Additionally, the bill seeks to clarify uncertainties that marred previous elections.
According to Abbas, the legislative intent is to reduce electoral conflicts and litigation, cut costs by implementing single-day voting, and foster a more democratic and inclusive approach to party primaries.
Speaking at the plenary session following the House’s annual recess, the Speaker also mentioned planned constitutional amendments, including the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission.
Another critical legislative focus is the Reserved Seats Bill for women. Abbas pointed out that women currently occupy less than 5% of National Assembly seats, positioning Nigeria among the countries with the lowest female parliamentary representation globally.
“This bill proposes the creation of additional seats exclusively for women, without diminishing the existing 109 Senate seats or 360 House seats,” he explained. “These new seats will be contested solely by female candidates, preserving the mandates of current members while expanding women’s political participation and improving Nigeria’s international standing.”
He urged lawmakers to back this transformative initiative, stating, “We are all HeForShe advocates in promoting gender equality. The way we vote on this bill will define our legacy and how future generations remember us.”
Security reform remains a top agenda item, with Abbas calling for a shift from theoretical discussions to concrete legislative measures on multi-level policing.
The Speaker noted that while creating state police through constitutional amendment is an option, enhancing community policing by amending the Police Act of 2020 is equally vital.
“Currently, Section 19 establishes Community Policing Committees, and Section 33(1) centralizes recruitment authority with the Inspector-General of Police, which restricts local responsiveness,” he said.
“We should explore devolving recruitment, training, and deployment of community police officers to state governments under federal oversight. This approach would empower states to tailor their security frameworks while maintaining national standards and coordination.”
Abbas stressed that economic revival and job creation must remain central to the House’s priorities. He noted that small and medium-sized enterprises, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, continue to grapple with high operational costs, unreliable power supply, and limited access to financing.
“Legislative action is needed to accelerate the implementation of the Startup Act, establish vocational training centers, and develop technology parks. Equally important is enacting progressive laws to promote renewable energy, improve grid stability, and attract private sector investment to ensure a reliable power supply and stimulate economic growth,” he added.
While acknowledging progress, the Speaker recognized ongoing challenges such as high living expenses, underemployment, and insecurity in certain regions.
He framed these issues as opportunities for lawmakers to enact targeted legislation and maintain continuous dialogue to build a more prosperous future for all Nigerians.
“In the months ahead, our focus must shift to pressing matters, foremost among them being constitutional amendments. There are 87 proposals addressing power devolution, local government autonomy, judicial reforms, and socio-economic rights awaiting debate and voting,” Abbas stated.
“The national public hearing held on Monday, 22 September 2025, organized by the House Committee on Constitutional Amendment, was well-attended and demonstrated strong public engagement and support.”
“We must finalize these votes and forward the approved amendments to State Assemblies by the end of December to facilitate timely concurrence before the election period,” he concluded.
