Agenda before Representatives as House resumes Tuesday

After weeks away from plenary, members of the House of Representatives will return to Abuja on Tuesday with a packed agenda waiting on their desks.

The House had adjourned plenary June 26, to observe its legislative week after marking three years in office.

As the House reconvenes, perhaps, the biggest item awaiting the Green Chamber is the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution. The House Constitution Review Committee had identified 37 priority amendment bills for accelerated consideration and is expected to vote on these bills. While the proposal seeking to establish state police has already secured the House’s approval, dozens of other bills are still awaiting votes as lawmakers resume sitting.

The proposals cut across electoral reforms, judicial reforms, security and policing, local government administration, devolution of powers, fiscal reforms, human rights, inclusive governance and citizenship, the legislature, traditional institutions, the strengthening of institutions, and the creation of states and local governments.

Among the bills expected to come up are those seeking to strengthen State Independent Electoral Commissions by prescribing criteria for appointing their members and expanding their powers, introducing independent candidacy for elections, and the reserved seats proposal designed to increase women’s representation in elective offices.

Read also: Ijesa North monarchs endorse Olajengbesi’s 2027 house of representatives bid

Away from legislation, politics is also expected to return to the forefront.

The House has seen a steady stream of defections over the past months as lawmakers continue to realign ahead of the 2027 general election. With political consultations gathering momentum across party lines, more lawmakers could switch parties in the weeks ahead, as defection announcements has become a familiar feature of plenary.

Matters on security is equally expected to feature prominently. During the break, attacks by armed groups, kidnappings, communal clashes and other violent incidents continued to make headlines in different parts of the country, with renewed concerns over the safety of communities.

In Borno State, at least, 37 students and a staff member remained in captivity after gunmen attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa during examinations. Over 40 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State have also remained in captivity.

As has become customary, members are expected to sponsor motions calling for stronger action by security agencies, while demanding greater protection for affected communities and improved humanitarian support for victims of violence.

The resumption is also expected to see committees return to oversight duties on matters such as implementation of 2025 budget, while the House considers any fresh requests or communications transmitted by the executive during the break.

How the House manages this packed calendar in the months ahead could determine the pace of some of the Assembly’s most ambitious legislative reforms before attention fully shifts to electioneering.