Three years after its inauguration, the 10th House of Representatives has emerged as one of the most active, controversial and politically consequential legislative chambers in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Led by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the 360-member House commenced proceedings on 13 June 2023 with promises to deepen legislative reforms, strengthen oversight of the executive and make the legislature more responsive to citizens’ concerns.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu (CREDIT: Ben kalu website)
Since then, lawmakers have processed thousands of bills, embarked on ambitious constitutional amendment efforts, approved major economic reforms, and positioned themselves at the centre of national debates on security, taxation and governance.
Yet the period has also been characterised by fierce political battles, allegations of legislative impropriety, defections that altered the balance of power within the chamber, and persistent accusations that lawmakers have not always exercised sufficient independence from the executive.
