As the National Assembly resumes legislative activities for the 2026 session, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the 10th National Assembly to refocus on governance, accountability and critical reforms, cautioning against the distractions of early electioneering ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), CISLAC described 2026 as a defining year for both the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the current legislature, stressing that Nigerians now expect tangible outcomes from policies and programmes introduced since 2023.
“While citizens have shown patience in the early phase of this administration, often attributing prevailing socio-economic and democratic challenges to the teething problems of a new government, 2026 naturally marks a period of maturity,” Rafsanjani said. “This is the stage at which policies must begin to deliver visible and measurable benefits to Nigerians, and the role of the National Assembly in achieving this cannot be overstated.”
CISLAC expressed concern that the year 2026 precedes the 2027 General Elections, a period historically associated with declining legislative productivity due to heightened political activities. The organisation warned that public anxiety could be further heightened by proposals to conduct the general elections as early as November 2026.
“Nigerians are worried, and rightly so, that governance may once again be sacrificed on the altar of politicking and electioneering,” Rafsanjani noted. “At a time when the country is grappling with economic hardship, worsening insecurity, rising public debt, governance deficits and declining public trust in institutions, Nigeria cannot afford a distracted or compromised legislature.”
According to CISLAC, the scale of national challenges facing the country demands a fully functional, responsive and accountable National Assembly, rather than one perceived as absentee, politically distracted or merely rubber-stamping executive actions.
Outlining its expectations for the 2026 legislative year, the organisation identified several priority areas for lawmakers. First, CISLAC urged members of the National Assembly to remain committed to plenary sittings, committee work and oversight responsibilities, warning against frequent absences and prolonged or unnecessary recesses driven by political ambitions.
Secondly, CISLAC called for the fast-tracking of critical legislative reforms, particularly electoral, economic, security and governance-related bills. Drawing lessons from the 2023 general elections, the organisation stressed that electoral reform remains a core demand of Nigerians and should not be delayed.
Thirdly, CISLAC emphasised the need to strengthen legislative oversight to promote transparency and accountability, especially in budget implementation, public procurement and the management of public funds. Rafsanjani warned that weak oversight would further entrench public perception of the National Assembly as a rubber-stamp institution.
The organisation also cautioned lawmakers against allowing the legislature to become an early casualty of the 2027 election cycle.
“Nigerians elected lawmakers to legislate and provide oversight, not to abandon governance long before the official campaign period,” Rafsanjani said. “The legislature is the backbone of any democratic system, and in 2026, the National Assembly must rise to this responsibility with integrity, discipline and a clear commitment to the public interest.”
CISLAC reaffirmed its readiness to engage constructively with the National Assembly and other stakeholders to advance reforms aimed at strengthening democracy, accountability and good governance in Nigeria.
