Abbas Urges FG To Submit 2027 Budget Framework Promptly

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has urged the executive arm of government to submit the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) promptly to allow adequate time for its thorough consideration and facilitate the timely passage of the 2027 Appropriation Bill.

Abbas made the call on Tuesday while welcoming lawmakers back from their annual recess, warning that political competition must not distract members from their constitutional responsibilities.

He said the House must bring the constitutional review process to a responsible conclusion, noting that proposals on state police, reserved seats for women and other outstanding constitutional amendment bills require sustained engagement with the Senate and state Houses of Assembly.

The Speaker also pledged that the House would give prompt and careful consideration to bills and requests transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, including the National Research Development Fund Bill and the domestication of the Geneva Conventions and their relevant protocols.

“This latest request carries particular national and diplomatic significance. It will strengthen the protection of civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflict. I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this bold and timely move,” Abbas said.

On the 2027 general elections, Abbas stressed the need to safeguard the electoral process, insisting that the Electoral Act must be faithfully applied and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) given the lawful support required to discharge its responsibilities.

“Every public institution involved in the elections must act with neutrality, competence and restraint,” he said.

Abbas urged House committees to clear outstanding reports and bills awaiting action, warning that important legislative proposals should not expire because they had been left unattended.

To accelerate legislative business, he proposed a focused 100-day legislative programme, with committees expected to conclude outstanding reports within defined timelines.

“Tuesdays and Thursdays should give priority to major bills and urgent national business. Attendance at plenary and committee sittings must improve,” he said.

The Speaker also proposed the publication of the House’s full Legislative Scorecard and Legacy Report before the end of the current Assembly, saying Nigerians should be able to compare the lawmakers’ commitments with their performance.

“Distinguished Colleagues, this Assembly has faced difficult moments. We have had disagreements, intense debates, and periods of considerable political pressure. Yet we have preserved the unity of the House.

“On matters of national importance, we have repeatedly found common ground. Our ability to disagree without weakening the institution remains one of the defining strengths of the Tenth House,” he added.

Reviewing developments during the recess, which began on July 23, Abbas said Nigeria had recorded economic progress alongside persistent challenges.

He cited economic growth above four per cent and a decline in inflation to 15.39 per cent in August, compared with 23.14 per cent a year earlier.

He also said external reserves reached $54.7 billion in September, their highest level since 2009, while Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of more than N20 trillion in the first half of the year, almost twice the figure for the corresponding period in 2025.

“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,” he said.

Abbas noted that increased public revenue had expanded the capacity of federal, state and local governments to serve citizens, but stressed that the additional resources must translate into improved public services.

“Higher revenue must produce better roads, stronger schools, safer communities and more effective healthcare,” he said, while calling for greater accountability, particularly at the sub-national level.

The Speaker also expressed concern over security and humanitarian challenges reported during the recess, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Borno State, attacks and displacement in parts of Ondo State, and destructive flooding and erosion in Enugu and Abia states.

“We stand with every family that has lost a loved one, a home or a livelihood. The affected communities require prompt relief and lasting protection,” he said.

He added that security agencies would continue to receive the support they needed while remaining accountable for the resources and authority entrusted to them.