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Tag: Tajudeen Abbas

  • Abass: why ex-CPC chieftains must work for Tinubu

    Abass: why ex-CPC chieftains must work for Tinubu

    • Speaker inaugurates President’s support group in Zaria

    House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has urged former members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to work in unison for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

    Abbas spoke at the weekend in Zaria, Kaduna State, while inaugurating the Old CPC Members’ Tinubu Support Group for Northern Kaduna Senatorial District.

    The Nation learnt that the inauguration was meant to galvanise grassroots mobilisation ahead of President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

    Addressing members of the group before swearing in the officials, the Speaker said they needed to work tirelessly and deliver on the mandate entrusted to them.

    He noted that the defunct CPC tradition remained strong within the governing party, having produced and is still producing influential figures across the country.

    Abba said the defunct CPC bloc boasts governors, about 30 members of the House of Representatives, and seven ministers in the current administration.

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    “We thank Allah, and we thank the old CPC,” he said, assuring the group of his continuous support. “We will do everything possible to assist you to perform to expectation.”

    Those inaugurated include Alhaji Abubakar Hayatu (Sarkin Sudan) – Chairman; Umar Tsaibu – Secretary; Surajo Musa – Vice Chairman; Abubakar Maiwada – Treasurer; Idris Abubakar – PRO; Ibrahim Musa – Youth Leader; Hajiya Aisha Abdullahi – Women Leader; and Abdullahi Soja – Assistant PRO.

    Others are: Aliyu Haruna – Welfare Officer; Musa A. Musa – Organising Secretary, while Aliyu Santana, Aminu Ahmad Rahama and Adamu Turaki were inaugurated as elders of the group.

    Abbas announced that similar groups for the Central and Southern Kaduna senatorial districts would be inaugurated soon.

  • Reps seek tax relief for the elderly, set to pass rights for Older Persons Bill

    Reps seek tax relief for the elderly, set to pass rights for Older Persons Bill

    House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has said the Green Chamber is seeking to legislate for tax relief and exempt the senior citizens from paying certain taxes.

    The envisaged legislation will also provide for free medical services for them in government hospitals.

    Speaking at a public hearing on a Bill seeking to provide certain rights for Older Persons to ensure health and economic relief and protection for their social and civil rights organised by the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, the Speaker said many of these social benefits were previously covered by traditional family support systems.

    Abbas said the House resolved to provide a formal legal structure that would protect the aged from abuse.

    He said: “This Older Persons (Rights and Privileges) Bill has become necessary because existing legislations, like the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, 2018, have not fully taken care of the peculiar needs of older persons and their rights are constantly abridged by others – from family members to public institutions and the rest of society.

    “This Bill is, therefore, an attempt to provide comprehensive protection for the specific rights of older citizens and meet our obligations towards safeguarding their welfare.

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    “Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, guarantees certain inalienable rights for every Citizen and forbids the discrimination of persons on the basis of religion or race or gender, but it fails to cover the peculiar injustices that old people suffer simply because they are old.”

    “The Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in Chapter 2 of the Constitution also make provisions for the well-being of citizens, but they are not obligations that are justifiable or enforceable.

    “In sum, current policy and legal frameworks for the protection of old people are either fragmented or incomplete, and mostly cannot be enforced by the courts. This Bill not only hopes to address a wider range of issues, including social and economic challenges, but also to provide a legally binding framework for older people.

    “The important thing here is that old people are now to be protected by legally enforceable rights, and they can hope to get restitution from the courts if these rights or entitlements are breached. It is a very progressive bill which seeks to bring the social welfare programme available for old people up to date.

    “It examines the pressures that joblessness, loneliness, neglect, insecurity, poverty, retirement, and health challenges foist on the aged and make provisions for safeguards and benefits that will enable them to live better.”

    Proposed provisions include free medical services in government facilities, some forms of tax exemption, stipends, and protection against abandonment.

    “Many of these were previously covered by traditional family support systems, but as those weaken, we must provide a formal legal structure that will protect the aged from abuse.”

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, said the provisions of the Bill “reflect on our collective responsibility to ensure that our older population receives the dignity, respect, and support they deserve. I call it The Society Giving Back”.

    She added: “As we know, older persons often face unique challenges that can affect their health, economic stability, and social engagement. This legislation aims to address these issues head-on by establishing a framework that guarantees their rights and protections.

    “House Bill 2098 seeks to ensure health and economic relief for older persons, recognising that access to quality healthcare and financial security are fundamental human rights. It also emphasises the importance of protecting their social and civic rights, allowing them to participate fully in society and contribute their wisdom and experience.”

    The National Coordinator of National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Badamasi Lawal, said the Older Persons Bill, 2025, under consideration should be harmonized with the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, 2018 for ease of operationability in supporting Older Persons in Nigeria.

    Speaking on behalf of the National Pension Commission (NPC), Martins Ikagu, described the proposed legislation as a positive development which would further strengthen and expand the legal framework on social security in Nigeria.

    Calling for a review of the proposals in clauses 2, 3(2), 4(1), 5, 17(1), 30 and 38(2) of the proposed Bill, for contextual correctness, Ikagu reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to protecting the social rights of Older Persons, including retirees who have a constitutional right to earn pension after retirement.

    He said: “Section 3(2) of Part III on Rights of Older Persons: ThS section provides that older persons shail be entitled to five percent of the Social Protection Intervention Programmes of the relevant MDAs of the Federal Government. We are of the opinion that details of the relevant MDAs should be annexed to the Bill or provided in the Interpretation Section for appropriate guidance, implementation and enforcement.

    “Section 4(1) on Rights of Older Persons: The side note to this section reads thus: ‘Mobility and Accessibility to Physical’. We observed that the sentence is incomplete and does not relate to the information in the referenced section. Accordingly, we advise that the sentence be reviewed for correctness and applicability.

    “Section 5 on Minimum Wage: The section provides that indigent older persons shall be entitled to at least 25% of the National Minimum Wage as monthly stipends which shall be reviewed by the Federal Government every five years. We observed that the specific source of funding and custody of the funds to be utilised for the payment of the stipends were not provided.

    “In order to achieve seamless implementation, we recommend that the source of funding and domiciliation of the dedicated funds for payment of the stipends should be determined and codified.

    “Furthermore, in line with best global practices, we recommend the insertion of a provision that would mandate the participation of Nigerians in both formal and informal employment to some social security scheme, in order to become eligible to access the rights provided under the Bill.

    “This would make the scheme sustainable and reduce the financial burden that would otherwise be placed on the respective tiers of Government pursuant to the Bill.

    “Section 17(1) on Provision for Accessibility Aids: This clause reads as follows: ‘At public parking lots, suitable spaces shall be Properly Older Persons Rights Bill, 2024 marked and reserved for Older Persons’. We observed that the provision is incoherent, possibly due to the inclusion of the highlighted phrase. We therefore, recommend that the provision be reviewed for correctness.

    “Section 30 on Education must be subsidized: This section provides that: ‘The education of special education personnel shall be highly subsidized’. We observed that the provision is incoherent and does not focus on older persons as may have been intended. Accordingly, we recommend that the provision be reviewed for contextual correctness.

    “Section 38(2): We observed that this Section does not have a side note. We recommend the insertion of a side note for ease of reference.

    “We further observed that the Section provides that the Bill shall not aee| to persons who are beneficiaries under the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014 the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 the National Social Insurance Trust Fund Act 2004 and the National Provident Fund Act, 1961.

    “We are of the opinion that this provision is contrary to the provisions of Section 42(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for being discriminatory also unnecessarily restrictive as it deprives persons who are beneficiaries of schemes under the referenced legislations from enjoying some social rights provided in the Bill but not Covered by the referenced legislations.

    “For instance, the right to work, right to education, right to first consideration in queues and emergencies, right to rebates, provision of accessibility aids during transportation and access to buildings amongst others, are provided in the Bill but not covered under the referenced legislations.

    “n view of the above, we recommend a review of the provision to bring it in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by making it nondiscriminatory and all-embracing.”

  • Poor attendance: Abbas bans committee activities during plenary

    Poor attendance: Abbas bans committee activities during plenary

    House of Representatives Speaker  Tajudeen Abbas has placed a ban on all committee activities during plenary sessions.

    He said his action was info9rmed by persistent low attendance of lawmakers during official sittings.

    Announcing the decision at yesterday’s plenary, Abbas said no committee, standing or ad hoc, would henceforth be permitted to hold meetings, public hearings or other engagements during morning hours when the House is in session.

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    He directed committee chairmen to restrict their activities to Mondays, Fridays, weekends, or after plenary sittings.

    Abbas warned that any violation of the directive would attract sanctions.

    The Speaker expressed displeasure over the growing trend where members abandon plenary to attend committee engagements, leading to poor participation in proceedings.

    He urged all lawmakers to take the directive seriously, stressing that the effective running of the House depends on full attendance and commitment during plenary.

  • Abbas urges trilateral approach to tackle insecurity

    Abbas urges trilateral approach to tackle insecurity

    Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has advocated a combination of military action, political negotiation and a strong justice system to end insecurity in the country.

    Speaking on Friday at the inauguration of officers’ accommodation at the Niger Barracks Extension and Link Road, Mambilla Barracks, Abuja, Abbas said the complex security challenges facing the country have evolved rapidly, testing our institutions and stretching our resources.

    He said: “Yet, Nigeria’s story is not merely about threats — it is also about resilience, adaptation, and reform.

    “Looking ahead, Nigeria’s security requires cooperation between government and society. Military action alone cannot solve every challenge. It must be complemented by political negotiations, community participation, economic empowerment, and justice.”

    The Speaker said the House of Representatives and the Senate have supported appropriations for critical platforms, munitions, communications systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as force protection assets — while ensuring accountability, value for money, and timely delivery.

    According to him, the House, through effective oversight, has promoted better inter-agency collaboration, clarified procurement processes, and drawn lessons from past experiences.

    “We have approved funding for barracks rehabilitation, family housing, healthcare, mental health support, and post-service transition programs,” he said.

    “In addition, we are advancing legislative proposals to deepen professionalism and accountability within the security sector. These include strengthening the legal framework for joint operations, improving the welfare and pension systems for serving personnel and veterans, supporting local defence industries under the *Made-in-Nigeria* initiative, and developing more agile logistics and maintenance structures.”

    This, Abbas said, was aimed at building a military that is well-led, well-equipped, properly supported, and transparently governed — a military worthy of the great nation it serves.

    He urged the military, security and intelligence agencies to work in synergy by sharing intelligence, deploy technology responsibly, and ensure troops have the resources needed to succeed.

    “The National Assembly stands ready to continue working with the Executive, the Armed Forces, traditional institutions, and international partners to achieve our shared objectives of peace and stability,” the Speaker said. 

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said the link road and newly constructed buildings are designed not just for convenience, but as essential infrastructure that supports efficiency, safety and comfort of officers. 

    He noted that the Niger Barracks Extension Block, which will accommodate policy makers in the Defence Headquarters, would provide a conducive atmosphere where they can have the peace of mind to articulate valuable and forward-thinking policies.

    These policies, according to him, would continue to ensure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain effective, professional and successful in all operations.

    The CDS said the project was inline with his leadership philosophy, which is “To nurture a professional Armed Forces of Nigeria that is people-centric, collaborative and capable of meeting its constitutional responsibilities in a joint environment.”

    “In particular, the second pillar of this philosophy emphasises prioritising troops’ welfare.

    “Consequently, the provision of these quality facilities reflects our deep understanding that operational success begins with the welfare and morale of our people. By improving their quality of life, we are investing directly in the strength, efficiency and unity of our forces,” the CDS said. 

    Gen. Musa acknowledged the support of the National Assembly, through timely budgetary approvals. He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s commitment to the welfare, training and operational needs of troops has been remarkable. 

    “It is this support that continues to boost morale and motivation, leading to the visible reduction of insecurity across the nation,” he said.

  • Akpabio, Speaker Abbas: Nigeria’s future bright

    Akpabio, Speaker Abbas: Nigeria’s future bright

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas yesterday said that the future of Nigeria is bright.

    In their messages to Nigerians on the occasion of the 65th Independence Anniversary, they urged Nigerians to exercise patience as the reforms produce results.

    Akpabio said that Nigeria is moving in the right direction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms.

    He urged Nigerians to endure the pains of the reforms a little while longer “in the interest of our children and future generations”.

    He said: “My dear resilient and wonderful people of this great nation, I wish to heartily congratulate you for witnessing Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebration. At 65, we are matured and should be working for the unity of the nation and prosperity of our people.

    “We salute your resilience, patience and endurance in the last two years. We deeply appreciate your support and understanding.

    “In line with the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘All hands are on deck for a greater Nigeria’, I urge you to continue to bear the temporary discomfort of the ongoing reforms. We are not unaware of the pains occasioned by the reforms, but I want to assure you, very soon, this will be a thing of the past because the benefits of the reforms are beginning to manifest positively.

    “Let me also congratulate our President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his demonstrated commitment to the peace and development of our dear country, Members of the National Assembly for the steadfastness in their legislative engagements, the judiciary and the Nigerian people at home and in diaspora on this auspicious occasion.”

    He added: “I must tell you that Nigeria is not finished. Do not buy into the mischievous narrative that Nigeria is irredeemable. We are on the right pedestal and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is reshaping the country; we are growing and making progress.

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    “If we all join hands together to support the reforms, Nigeria will become better and surely get to the promised land.”

    Abbas urged Nigerians to look beyond the current challenges and anticipate a bright future.

    The Speaker, who said God has blessed the country with immeasurable human and natural resources, called for collective efforts towards building “a nation of our dreams regardless of religious, ethnic and political differences.”

    According to the Speaker, Nigeria remains on the right path with the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    He expressed optimism that the country remains the giant of Africa, adding that it would reclaim its position as the biggest economy on the continent.

    He urged Nigerians to remain undaunted by the security and socio-economic challenges.

     Abbas called for more prayers and patriotism from law-abiding Nigerians, assuring that the House would provide accountable leadership, good governance and dividends of democracy, especially at the grassroots.

  • Notes on Constitution review

    Notes on Constitution review

    Prelude to the resumption of the 10th National Assembly from their mid-year recess, the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution is expected to be a top priority, as stated by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio GCON, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas GCON. Meanwhile, during the recess, some ad hoc committees of both chambers of the National Assembly have been actively undertaking consultations with various stakeholders, while public hearings on some of the Bills are already underway. It is also worthy of note that both the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Constitution Amendment have created inclusive platforms that engage citizens, civil society, political parties, professional groups, and traditional institutions in the amendment process.

    Therefore, as citizens, we have the opportunity of ensuring that the amendments like the State Police, devolution of powers, Local Government Autonomy, etc, are well thought-out, articulated, debated, and legislated.

    Meanwhile, it is a consensus in Nigeria that we are not happy with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is because it was not created with the inputs and acceptance of the majority of Nigerians, which is not in line with what is stated in the opening statement of the 1999 Constitution, that “WE the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: … HAVING firmly and solemnly resolved:”. However, if citizens do not engage, debate and ensure that their representatives at the National and State Assemblies include what they consider the critical issues to be part of the amendment of the Constitution, it means that we have abdicated our responsibilities for the political class to continue doing as they wish which in most cases may not be in the best interest of the citizens of Nigeria. We will also lose the moral right to challenge “faulty” or “unfair” provisions if they are added to, or not removed from, the Constitution.

    Indeed, some well-meaning Nigerians, including the group of eminent Nigerians – the Patriots, led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, are of the opinion that there is a need to overhaul the 1999 Constitution, as part of a much-needed wider and deeper political, structural, and systemic reform for a more united, progressive, and better Nigeria.

     Another school of thought is of the opinion that it will be more prudent, expedient, and efficient to harmonize the recommendations of the late Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) of 2008, and the recommendations of the late Justice Idris Lebo Kutigi-led 2014 National Conference. 

     What is important from all the discussions going on in this matter is if we truly love Nigeria, then we should agree that the overhaul of our constitution is a critical success factor to the progress and development of Nigeria.

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    I believe that the amendment of a constitution is NOT a destination, but a process and journey to the “ideal” or “desired” political and socio-economic destinations of a nation, a country or society. But I also agree that the “peace meal” annual ritual of “amendment of the 1999 Constitution is reducing the importance of fundamental amendments to the Constitution and may deny Nigerians the opportunity for a robust overhaul of the Constitution.

    Therefore, because we already have an entrenched Legislature, i.e., National Assembly and State Assemblies, whose members are elected to represent all the peoples and regions of Nigeria, it will be somewhat complicated to create a parallel body with quasi-legislative powers to amend the constitution. In my view, what will be more proper, prudent, expedient, and efficient is that the elites of this country, including groups like “The Patriots”, engage the respective members of their constituencies, collectively and individually, to ensure that the key and relevant recommendations from the Justice Uwais Committee and the Justice Kutigi Conference recommendations are presented/sponsored for legislation. Indeed, the wider objectives of Patriots remain relevant and germane to our political evolution in Nigeria.

    Let us be part of the process

    The political landscape is broadening, and the political consciousness of Nigerians has heightened over time, with citizens demanding good governance and increasingly knowing the power of their votes and other fundamental rights. 

     Therefore, it is against the background of the aforementioned developments that I find it necessary to speak to all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly the elites, on the importance of citizens participation in the legislative process as a crucial value-addition to the enactment of sound, far-reaching, practical, relevant and impactful amendment of the Nigerian Constitution that will further unify Nigeria and ensure delivery of good governance. By “elites”, I mean the middle-class citizens, who are mostly educated, gainfully employed, and part of the governance and leadership structure of Nigeria in the Civil Service, Public Service, and Private sectors. We are mostly employees or employers of labour as professionals, businessmen/women, entrepreneurs, academics, craftsmen, etc, within the organized and informal sectors.

    In my opinion, good governance is not just about waiting for politicians to do as they wish while we lament about how things have been going worse in the past 24 years since the return of Nigeria to democracy. But good governance is the outcome of a process which includes the citizens not just making demands, but actually setting the parameters/ standards of the kind of leadership and the accountability and performance framework that we want, based on which we will measure leaders at all levels and hold them accountable.

    We must not leave the entire thought processes and actions of legislation to politicians who, in most cases, do not consult their constituents but rather push their agendas to the detriment of the people. If these continue to happen, we should all have ourselves to blame, and importantly, we will actually continue to live the brutal consequences of not paying attention and participating in our political process, or die as a result.

     As citizens, we should also be very aware and fully engage in sectoral reform legislation to ensure that our individual and collective skills, competencies, and capacities add value to the process so that our various areas of profession or interest are supported for our collective good as a people and as a Country. I believe that active and more robust stakeholders engagements and citizens participation will not only strengthen our democracy but, more importantly, it will ensure good governance and consistent delivery of the dividends of democracy in all sectors and strata of our Country.

     We should please note that not participating in the political process is also a vote of confidence on the status quo. And if we do not participate, then we lose the moral ground to challenge and hold our leaders accountable because we would have a really failed ab initio in our roles as citizens. Hence, I urge us to actively and consistently engage the leadership of this country at the national and sub-national levels so that we can all “own” the outcomes or collectively “disown” the outcomes of our political processes in the overall interest of Nigeria.

     Meanwhile, I recognize and commend the efforts of a few elites who have ventured to speak truth to power in trying to put the Government on its toes, those efforts are impressive and highly commendable. But to demonstrate sincerity of purpose, we should remain consistent. We have a lot of work to do in order to make Nigeria great. 

    Other points to note

    I humbly submit an action plan to guide our thoughts and conversations:

    •Going forward, we should Mainstream group discussions by articulation, lobby, advocacy, participating in public hearings, and submitting papers to relevant arms, and institutions of government at state and sub national levels

    •Leverage technology and social media to raise awareness and galvanise support for very crucial provisions to be made or included in the constitution amendment. All these can be done in an organized manner. WhatsApp groups, other conventional community interest groups, and societies could articulate and refine their thoughts and positions on  the various topics of review and submit them as proposals to the respective Constitution amendment Committees, and also fully participate in the legislation process through follow-ups and performance reviews. 

    •These engagements should not stop only with the Amendment of the Constitution, but to also include other subsequent legislations to introduce new Acts/ laws or for the review of existing laws.

    •We should also please note that the “process” is the most important part of our political evolution. Because the process will determine the quality of the outcome and its impacts.

     I will leave us with a food for thought to reflect on: The achievement of the national growth and development that we dream of will continue to elude us, until we all actively participate in the political process of the evolution of Nigeria.

  • Why 10th House will defend Speaker Abbas, by Deputy Spokesman Agbese

    Why 10th House will defend Speaker Abbas, by Deputy Spokesman Agbese

    House of Representatives Deputy Spokesman Philip Agbese has said members of the 10th Assembly will continue to defend the mandate of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

    He said this is because of the Speaker’s inclusive and respectful leadership style.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Abuja, Agbese described Abbas as “a Speaker for all,” noting that since assuming office, the Speaker has carried all 359 other lawmakers along in decision-making and legislative engagements.

    “The Speaker is not a sectional leader. He is not someone who wants to run the House as a clique. From the very first day, he made it clear that he is here to serve all members and Nigerians. This is why you see overwhelming support across party lines for him,” he said.

    The deputy spokesman noted that Abbas’s leadership in the last two years has promoted harmony and reduced friction among lawmakers, as everyone feels a sense of belonging and dignity.

    “One thing Speaker Abbas has done differently is to treat everyone with respect, whether you are a first-time member or a ranking lawmaker, from the majority or minority caucus. He engages with us, he listens, and he acts. That is the kind of leadership that builds trust,” he added.

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    Agbese maintained that this inclusive and non-discriminatory style explains why House members have stood by Abbas to stave off subversion of his leadership.

    “We have seen in the past how divisions and exclusion weakened the legislature in some assemblies. But today, the House is united behind the Speaker because we know he is sincere, transparent, and committed to the collective good of the 10th Assembly and Nigerians,” he said.

    The deputy spokesperson noted that Abbas’s leadership has been yielding results in the quality of debates, motions, and Bills processed.

    According to him, the stability of the House under the Speaker’s watch is key to deepening Nigeria’s democracy.

    “What the Speaker is doing is giving every member a voice. That is why you see robust debates, diverse perspectives, and a stronger legislature. We will continue to defend his mandate because it is not just about him, it is about the institution and the Nigerian people,” Agbese added.

  • Abbas seeks stronger citizen engagement in governance

    Abbas seeks stronger citizen engagement in governance

    •Speaker lauds Tinubu’s initiatives for fostering development

    House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has said there is a need for a stronger citizen engagement in governance.

    The Speaker noted that this is crucial for the nation to have impactful legislation and transformative policies.

    Abbas said this while addressing a Southern Region Citizens’ Roundtable with the leadership of the House at Rockview Hotel in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    “We acknowledge that the voices of the citizenry are of paramount significance, serving as the solemn foundation upon which impactful legislations, transformative policies, and consequential decisions are made and enacted,” he said.

    The Speaker highlighted the House’s commitment to inclusive governance, through initiatives like dialogue with traditional rulers and efforts to strengthen local governance structures.

    He noted that youths need to participate in shaping democracy to prepare them for future leadership roles.

    Abbas announced some programmes to prepare youths for the tasks ahed, including legislative mentorship and leadership training.

    The Speaker, who was represented by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, urged all stakeholders to support the passage of the Bill on Special Reserved Seats for Women.

    According to him, the House is vigorously pursuing the passage of the Bill, which seeks to amend the Constitution to secure greater representation of women in the National Assembly and across Houses of Assembly in the states.

    “This initiative is not merely symbolic; it is a deliberate step to deepen inclusiveness, strengthen democratic participation, and harness the proven leadership capacity of women in governance,” Abbas said.

    The Speaker announced that only four women currently serve in the Senate, out of 109 seats, and 15 women in the House of Representatives, out of 360 lawmakers.

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    “This represents less than five per cent of the total membership, a figure that is far from satisfactory when compared with other legislatures across Africa, which have achieved over 50 per cent female representation,” he said.

    Abbas urged governors, State Assembly lawmakers, royal fathers, religious leaders, and other critical stakeholders to join the push for the realisation of this noble cause.

    The Speaker hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for pushing great initiatives, like the student loan programme and the establishment of regional development commissions.

    “The commission represents a Renewed Hope for infrastructure, economic empowerment, and social development that will touch the lives of ordinary people across our communities. These laudable initiatives, together with other programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda, reflect a vision of leadership that seeks to uplift every region, strengthen national unity, and provide greater opportunities for all Nigerians, regardless of background or location,” he added.

    The interactive meeting, which was supported by Ford Foundation and Global Rights, marked the last in a three-phase series aimed at fostering a robust relationship between the House and the citizenry.

  • Poll rates Tajudeen Abbas as most loved speaker

    Poll rates Tajudeen Abbas as most loved speaker

    A new survey of lawmakers in the House of Representatives has rated Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the 10th Assembly, as the most loved presiding officer in recent democratic history.

    The survey, conducted among a sample of 50 members — comprising 25 returning lawmakers and 25 first-term members — revealed widespread approval of Abbas’ leadership style, which respondents described as “inclusive, accessible, and reform-driven.”

    Many lawmakers praised Abbas for transcending party lines, ensuring that all members feel valued, and strengthening the legislative process.

    A first-term lawmaker said, “As a new member, you would ordinarily expect to be sidelined, but Speaker Abbas has shown us that the House belongs to all of us. He reaches out, he listens, and he makes us feel like equal stakeholders. That’s something rare in parliamentary politics.”

    A returning lawmaker added, “I have served under three different Speakers, but Tajudeen Abbas is different. He does not carry himself with arrogance. He treats everyone with respect and consults widely before major decisions are taken. That has endeared him to members across divides.”

    Abbas has also been credited for enhancing oversight and legislative output. Several respondents noted that the current House has moved more motions and passed more bills in its two years than previous assemblies.

    However, a few lawmakers voiced reservations, mainly from the perspective of wanting a more confrontational Speaker. 

    A member from Rivers State in the opposition commented, “We respect Speaker Abbas, but we would like a Speaker who is more aggressive in challenging the executive on certain issues. That is the only point where we feel he could be bolder.

    “Yet, many cited Abbas’ neutrality and fairness as a reason for their admiration. 

    A PDP member from Kebbi State said, “His leadership does not favour PDP or APC. In fact, that impartiality is why we love him. Everyone feels represented, and politics does not interfere with the work of the House.”

    Members also applauded the Speaker for reforms in welfare, particularly through the House Committee on House Services, which manages the work environment for lawmakers. 

    One lawmaker said, “Gone are the days we worked in offices without WiFi or functioning air conditioning. Today, under Abbas, our offices are fully equipped, and members are happy. It’s a tangible improvement in our day-to-day working life.”

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    Another new member highlighted the decentralisation of power, “The Speaker has empowered committees to function effectively. Chairs are trusted to deliver on their mandates, which has improved efficiency and visibility in legislative work.”

    Several respondents also praised Abbas’ intellectual depth, noting that his academic background informs his methodical approach to debates and policy-making. 

    “He is not just a politician; he is a thinker,” said one returning lawmaker.

    Overall, the survey suggests that Speaker Abbas has succeeded in uniting a diverse chamber, combining reformist zeal with fairness and attention to member welfare. 

    As one participant summed it up, “Love is not a word often used in politics, but in this House, it is the best way to describe how members feel about Speaker Abbas.”

  • No Nigerian should be discriminated against, says Speaker Abbas

    No Nigerian should be discriminated against, says Speaker Abbas

    House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has said no Nigerian should be discriminated against – politically, economically, or socially – based on religious belief or geographical background.

    He said the parliament remained committed to combating all forms of religious and racial discrimination to ensure peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

    Abbas spoke through Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu at the opening of this year’s Interfaith Legislative Roundtable Engagement organised by the House of Representatives yesterday in Abuja.

    The Speaker said as a responsible arm of government, the House remained firmly committed to defending the Constitution and ensuring, through appropriate legislative actions and oversight, that this constitutional provision is enforced at all levels of governance.

    He said the roundtable was a continuation of a global momentum that began with the Second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in Rome, Italy, last month, where over 100 countries, including Nigeria, pledged to collaborate across faiths and parliaments to defend democratic values, protect vulnerable populations, and counter divisive rhetoric.

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    According to him, the dialogue stems from the communique issued at the end of the event, which emphasised that peace-building must be proactive and anchored on ethics, accountability, and solidarity.

    He said: “This roundtable draws from those recommendations and seeks to localize them within the Nigerian context. It is instructive to mention also that the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations has also reinforced these efforts, warning that the rising tide of online hate speech and the normalization of dehumanizing rhetoric present existential threats to democratic societies.

    “The House of Representatives is committed to combating all forms of religious and racial discrimination with equal urgency. In light of this, the House, through this engagement, aims to identify legislative gaps, propose frameworks, and create tools that can meaningfully curb these threats while promoting civic education and peaceful coexistence…”

    “As outlined in our Legislative Agenda, we are focused on upholding the rule of law, fostering peace-building and dialogue, and deepening inclusion, especially for youth and marginalised communities. This engagement aligns squarely with those goals.

    “From hate speech regulation in digital spaces to faith-based education for tolerance, we aim to evolve policies that not only protect freedom of belief but also inspire a generation of responsible citizenship.”

    Abbas said beyond the core significance of the roundtable, the stakeholders needed to explore how faith-based education could serve as a frontline tool against extremism and divisive ideologies.

    The Speaker stressed that misinformation, indoctrination, and poor civic understanding escalate religious conflicts.

    Proffering solutions, he emphasized the need to enhance the digital literacy of faith influencers and clerics, stressing that the House remained committed to defending the Constitution.

    “Many of the vulnerabilities that breed religious conflict are rooted in misinformation, indoctrination, and poor civic understanding. By supporting reforms that integrate constitutional literacy, critical thinking, and peace studies into religious curricula across madrasas, seminaries, and faith-based schools, we can build a generation that is both spiritually grounded and civically informed.

    “Similarly, there is a need to enhance digital literacy among faith influencers and clerics, who now command significant followings online. Empowering them with responsible digital communication skills, content moderation ethics, and conflict-sensitive engagement strategies will help de-escalate online tensions and prevent the manipulation of religious sentiment on social media.

    “No citizen should be discriminated against politically, economically, or socially based on his faith or persuasion. As a responsible House, we remain firmly committed to defending the Constitution and ensuring, through appropriate legislative actions and oversight, that this constitutional provision is enforced at all levels of governance,” the Speaker said.