By
Oduyemi Odumade
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Abbas Tajudeen, has underscored the critical role of the legislature in shaping the country’s democratic future.
The speaker made the remarks during the presentation of the Parliamentary Development Programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening legislative capacity and promoting sustainable development across Nigeria.
The programme, supported by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, seeks to address Nigeria’s development challenges, including multidimensional poverty affecting 133 million Nigerians.
“A vibrant democracy rests on the strength of its legislature,” Tajudeen said. “A strong legislature is essential for implementing reforms, providing oversight, and ensuring accountability.
Dr Abbas highlighted the National Assembly and Executive’s commitment to transformative reforms in key sectors such as economy, security, infrastructure, and social welfare.
He acknowledged historical under-resourcing and underdevelopment of the legislature compared to the executive and judiciary, emphasizing continuous capacity building to mitigate the high turnover rate in the legislature.
According to him, the challenge is particularly pressing, given that 281 new members were elected to the 360-seat House of Representatives, disrupting continuity and eroding institutional memory.
The Speaker stressed the importance of empowering lawmakers to effectively contribute from day one, ensuring the legislature can support the administration’s Agenda for national development.
UNDP Resident Representative Elsie Attafuah commended Tajudeen’s vision for transparency, accountability, and democratic principles, noting the programme’s potential to restore faith in democracy and address Nigeria’s diverse voices and aspirations.
The Parliamentary Development Programme is expected to bolster institutional capacity, supporting the administration’s Agenda for national development and driving critical reforms needed for Nigeria’s development.
