Returning Abbas As Speaker

As the race for the 11th National Assembly gathers momentum, the question of returning Tajudeen Abbas as Speaker of the House of Representatives remains unsettled.

History offers little certainty. In 2023, about 70 per cent of newly elected lawmakers were first-timers, underscoring the House’s high turnover rate. With elections approaching, many incumbents face uncertain political fortunes, making early declarations of continuity appear premature.

Yet senators, led by Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, have a crystal ball and have already declared that there is “no vacancy” in the Senate presidency, openly backing Godswill Akpabio for another term. Why has the House not witnessed a similar campaign for Abbas?

Abbas appears focused on politics in Kaduna and staying close to Governor Uba Sani, hoping for the kind of crucial backing Nasir El-Rufai provided in 2023.

But with many lawmakers fighting for survival, can Abbas secure enough support to return, or will shifting alliances reshape the Green Chamber?