The House of Representatives had a productive year in 2024, focusing on key legislative priorities. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas outlined the House’s 8-point agenda, which targeted improvements in governance, national security, economic growth, and more. In his address, Abbas emphasized strengthening security and constitutional reforms as top priorities for the year.
The House introduced several important constitutional alteration bills, including proposals for state police, higher educational qualifications for elected officials, and a single six-year tenure for the presidency. Other notable bills included a proposal for presidential candidates to secure an absolute majority and a bill for the return to a parliamentary system of government. Some bills, like those for state police and special seats for women in the legislature, passed second reading.
In a major victory, the bills for the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the North West Development Commission (NWDC) passed successfully, receiving President Tinubu’s assent. These bills aim to address long-standing development challenges in the respective regions.
The House made strides in citizen engagement throughout the year. It held six citizens’ engagement sessions, including town hall meetings and dialogues on national security, tax reforms, and the 2024 Appropriation Bill. Speaker Abbas emphasized the importance of public participation in the legislative process, calling the 10th House the “people’s House.”Despite these achievements, the House faced criticism for its lack of follow-through on resolutions, particularly regarding security issues. The House also saw defections from opposition members to the ruling APC, generating mixed reactions, with some claiming constitutional violations.