By Peter Omopo
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the 10th National Assembly to place governance, accountability and critical legislative reforms above early electioneering as it resumes legislative activities for the 2026 session.
In a statement issued on Monday, the organisation warned that premature politicking ahead of the 2027 General Elections could undermine legislative productivity and weaken democratic governance. CISLAC noted that 2026 represents a crucial phase for both the Bola Tinubu administration and the current legislature, as Nigerians increasingly demand tangible outcomes from policies and programmes introduced since 2023.
The statement, signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa, popularly known as Rafsanjani, described the year as a turning point for Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to him, while Nigerians showed patience in the early stages of the administration—often attributing prevailing socio-economic and democratic challenges to the teething problems of a new government—2026 marks a period of maturity when policies should begin to yield visible and measurable benefits.
He stressed that the role of the National Assembly in ensuring effective governance at this stage is critical.
CISLAC expressed concern that the proximity of 2026 to the 2027 elections could result in declining legislative output, a pattern it said has characterised previous pre-election periods. The organisation also cautioned that public anxiety could intensify if proposals to conduct the general elections as early as November 2026 are implemented.
“Nigerians are worried, and rightly so, that governance may once again be sacrificed on the altar of politicking and electioneering,” Rafsanjani said, adding that the country’s current challenges—including economic hardship, rising insecurity, growing public debt and declining trust in institutions—require a focused and committed legislature.
The organisation argued that Nigeria needs a National Assembly that is fully functional, responsive and accountable, rather than one perceived as politically distracted or acting merely as a rubber stamp for the executive.
CISLAC outlined key priority areas for lawmakers in the 2026 legislative year, urging greater commitment to plenary sittings, committee assignments and oversight responsibilities. It warned against frequent absences and extended recesses linked to political ambitions.
The group also called for the fast-tracking of critical legislative reforms, particularly bills relating to electoral processes, economic recovery, security and governance. Drawing lessons from the 2023 general elections, CISLAC maintained that electoral reform remains a major public demand that should not be delayed.
In addition, the organisation emphasised the need to strengthen legislative oversight to improve transparency and accountability in budget implementation, public procurement and the management of public funds. It warned that weak oversight would further deepen public perception of the National Assembly as a rubber-stamp institution.
CISLAC further cautioned the legislature against becoming an early casualty of the 2027 election cycle, stressing that lawmakers were elected to legislate and provide oversight, not to abandon governance ahead of the official campaign period.
“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,” Rafsanjani said.
The organisation reaffirmed its readiness to engage constructively with the National Assembly and other stakeholders in advancing reforms aimed at strengthening democracy, accountability and good governance in Nigeria.
