The House of Representatives, at Thursday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, deliberated on major national issues, beginning with public petitions, a member’s defection, matters of urgent public importance, and legislative bills at various stages of progress.
Members laid two public petitions before the House on behalf of aggrieved constituents. The petitions were formally received and referred to the Committee on Public Petitions for investigation and further legislative action.
The House was formally notified of the defection of Rep. Ahmed Yusuf Doro from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The official communication was duly recorded in the House Votes and Proceedings.
On the Matters of Urgent Public Importance, the House considered and passed resolutions on critical issues of public safety, infrastructure, and emergency relief:
Security and Rescue Operations: The House commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, ONSA, DSS, Nigeria Police Force, and NSCDC for the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State. Lawmakers urged security agencies to sustain coordinated, intelligence-led operations to free all Nigerians in captivity—particularly schoolchildren in Borno State—and bolster security around schools and vulnerable communities.
Road Infrastructure: The House urged the Federal Ministry of Works to compel Metropolitan Construction Company Limited to return to site and accelerate work on the Langtang–Wase–Bashar Road and Bridge Project in Plateau State. Committees on Works, Appropriations, and Legislative Compliance were mandated to investigate contract delays, identify funding options, and track compliance.
Disaster Response: Following devastating floods in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency of Ondo State, the House called for urgent Federal Government intervention, emergency relief, drainage rehabilitation, dredging of River Olore, and long-term flood control measures.
First Reading of Bills
The House received seven new legislative proposals for First Reading, including the Basic Registry and Information System (Establishment) Bill, alongside six other measures.
Presentation of Reports
Three Committee reports were presented on the floor, including the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on preparedness for the proposed nationwide ban on single-use plastics, alongside two other legislative reports for subsequent floor consideration.
Second Reading of Bills
Lawmakers debated the general principles of six Bills focusing on financial governance, revenue administration, and emerging technologies. Following debate, all six Bills passed Second Reading and were referred to relevant Standing Committees for detailed scrutiny.
Third Reading and Passage of Bills
In a major constitutional milestone, the House passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, providing for the establishment of State Police Services across the federation to decentralize and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security framework.
Additionally, the House passed 18 other Bills at Third Reading, including:
- National Human Rights Commission (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill
- Department of State Services Research and Development Bureau Bill
- Four Bills strengthening Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and anti-corruption frameworks
- Two Bills on fisheries education and research
- Four Bills establishing healthcare institutions
- Six Bills establishing Federal Institutes of Mining and Geosciences across the country
All passed Bills will be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence where applicable before being forwarded for Presidential assent.
Following the conclusion of primary parliamentary business, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, pursuant to constitutional provisions, officially declared vacant the seat for the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State following the passing of Hon. Yaya Bauchi Tongo (ADC, Gombe).
Thursday’s proceedings reaffirmed the House’s commitment to constitutional reform, responsive lawmaking, effective legislative oversight, and policies that drive national security, infrastructure development, and economic governance.
