Reps to Tinubu: Submit 2027 budget estimates for scrutiny

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 charge while welcoming lawmakers back from their annual recess, said early submission of the fiscal documents would give the legislature sufficient time to examine the government’s spending proposals and facilitate timely passage of the 2027 Appropriation Bill.

He said the House would also prioritise outstanding constitutional amendment proposals, including the State Police Bill, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill and other pending bills, stressing the need for sustained engagement with the Senate and State Houses of Assembly to bring the constitutional review process to a responsible 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 said.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Hon. Tajudeen reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th Assembly to safeguarding the electoral process, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to faithfully implement the Electoral Act and urging all public institutions involved in the elections to discharge their responsibilities 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 said.

To accelerate legislative business during the remaining months of the Assembly, the Speaker proposed a focused 100-day legislative programme, directing standing and ad hoc committees to clear outstanding reports and bills within defined timelines. He also urged lawmakers to improve attendance at plenary and committee sittings, while giving priority to major bills and urgent national matters on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Speaker Tajudeen further proposed the publication of the House’s comprehensive Legislative Scorecard and Legacy Report before the end of the current Assembly, saying Nigerians deserved an opportunity to assess the lawmakers’ performance against their commitments.

He described the resumption as occurring at a consequential moment, with political activities gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, warning legislators against allowing partisan competition to undermine their constitutional responsibilities.

“Our conduct must justify their confidence. Debate may be vigorous, but it must remain responsible. Political competition must not displace our constitutional duties,” he said, adding that lawmakers must remain focused on delivering their legislative mandate despite political realignments and defections across party lines.

Assessing the country’s economic situation since the House adjourned on July 23, the Speaker cited reported improvements in key indicators, including 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 reaching $54.7 billion in September, their highest level since 2009. He also cited a trade surplus exceeding N20 trillion in 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 said.

He also highlighted emerging investment commitments 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 generate employment, increase exports and strengthen Nigeria’s position in African trade. However, he stressed that increased public revenues must translate into better infrastructure, stronger schools, safer communities and more effective healthcare, particularly at the sub-national level.

On security and humanitarian challenges during the nearly three-month recess, the Speaker expressed grief over the abduction of schoolchildren in Borno State, attacks and displacement in parts of Ondo State, as well as destructive flooding and erosion in Enugu and Abia states.

He therefore called for prompt relief and lasting protection for affected communities, while reiterating the need for security agencies to remain accountable for the resources and authority entrusted to them.

The Speaker also defended the House’s decision on September 29 to extend the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act to December 31, explaining that the measure was intended to protect ongoing projects and prevent waste of public investment.

He, however, warned that the extension must result in faster implementation and measurable outcomes, adding that the House would continue to scrutinise fund releases, project timelines and performance.

Reviewing the legislative record of the 10th Assembly, Hon. Tajudeen disclosed that by the middle of June 2026, the House had received 2,747 bills and passed 363, with the passage rate rising from approximately seven per cent in the first session to about 26 per cent in the third session.

He said the House had also processed hundreds of motions and public petitions, while its internal assessment indicated that approximately 65 to 70 per cent of the principal milestones in its Legislative Agenda had been completed.

He cautioned, however, that legislative performance should not be measured by the volume of bills passed alone, 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.