By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja
The National Assembly will focus on electoral reforms, constitutional amendment, and the passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill as it resumes plenary for the final 16 months of the 10th Assembly, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has said.
Bamidele made this known in a statement on Tuesday while outlining the legislative priorities of the Assembly as it enters the last phase of its four-year tenure.
He explained that with only 16 months left out of the 48 months constitutionally allocated to the 10th National Assembly, lawmakers must act swiftly but thoughtfully to address Nigeria’s pressing economic, political, and governance challenges.
According to him, the Assembly has spent the past 32 months driving wide-ranging reforms aimed at transforming Nigeria from an extraction-dependent economy into a diversified and globally competitive one.
“As we return to plenary, our resolve is to conclude key legislative initiatives that will strengthen our electoral system and governance framework, while consolidating reforms already introduced to make public administration more efficient and people-focused,” Bamidele said.
Focus on 2026 Budget
The Senate Leader revealed that lawmakers would devote significant attention to the review and passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, estimated at ₦58.47 trillion, which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented to a joint sitting of the National Assembly on December 18, 2025.
He described the proposed budget as critical to maintaining macroeconomic stability, boosting global competitiveness, and translating economic growth into job creation, higher incomes, and better living standards for Nigerians.
Bamidele also highlighted recent fiscal reforms, including the 2025 Tax Reform Act, noting that the law eases the tax burden on low-income earners while increasing contributions from high-income earners.
He said the reforms are expected to gradually reduce budget deficits and strengthen public finances.
Electoral Reforms Ahead of 2027 Polls
On electoral reforms, Bamidele disclosed that the National Assembly has begun a detailed clause-by-clause review of the Electoral Act 2022 through the proposed Electoral Bill 2025, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the bill contains more than 20 major reforms, including voting rights for inmates, compulsory release of election funds to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least one year before elections, QR code-based voter identification, and mandatory electronic transmission of polling unit results.
Other proposed changes include stricter voter registration rules, standardised delegates for party primaries, higher campaign spending limits, tougher penalties for electoral offences, and mandatory prison terms for vote buying, result falsification, and obstruction of election officials.
According to Bamidele, individuals convicted of vote buying could face fines of up to ₦5 million, two years’ imprisonment, and a 10-year ban from contesting elections.
He added that the Committees on INEC in both chambers would soon submit their reports for debate and voting at plenary before the bill is forwarded to the President for assent.
Constitution Review Nears Completion
Bamidele also disclosed that the review of the 1999 Constitution has reached an advanced stage, with technical sessions concluded and reports from public hearings already submitted.
He said the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Barau Jibrin, is expected to present the final report to the Senate before the end of the first quarter of 2026.
The Senate Leader noted that the amendment process would still require approval by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, urging state lawmakers to consider the proposals based on national interest.
He reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to good governance, improved security, and the welfare of Nigerians, stressing that public trust remains a responsibility the legislature must uphold at all times.
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