As the Nigerian National Assembly resumes for the 2026 session, civil society watchdogs have issued a stern warning: do not sacrifice governance on the altar of 2027 electioneering.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has termed 2026 a "defining year" for President Bola Tinubu's administration. With the next general election looming in 2027, there is a palpable fear that lawmakers will abandon their legislative duties to focus on campaigns and survival.

"A Distracted Legislature"

Auwal Rafsanjani, CISLAC’s Executive Director, did not mince words. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-23)"Nigerians are worried, and rightly so, that governance may once again be sacrificed," he said. "At a time when the country is grappling with economic hardship and rising public debt, Nigeria cannot afford a distracted or compromised legislature."

The group has outlined key priority areas that must be addressed before the "political madness" sets in:

• Electoral Reform: Fixing the flaws of 2023 to restore trust in the ballot.
• Economic Bills: Fast-tracking legislation to support the "Renewed Hope" economic recovery.
• Security: Strengthening oversight on defense spending to curb insurgency.

The message is clear: the 10th Assembly will be judged not by how loud they campaign, but by the laws they pass in this critical window.