The two Chambers of the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of Representatives, will today, June 2nd, 2026, resume plenary session after the Sallah and Easter break that lasted for weeks.
Issues of rising security challenges nationwide are expected to dominate discussions during the plenary.
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, are expected to deliver separate welcome addresses in which activities of the National Assembly so far will be reviewed.
The four-week recess allowed members of the legislature the opportunity to return to their constituencies and participate in party primaries, either to seek re-election or contest other elective offices.
The outcome of the exercise will significantly alter the political fortunes of many lawmakers, with many losing their return tickets, while some are prevented from contesting due to provisions of the amended Electoral Act.
No fewer than 20 serving senators failed to secure renominations during the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senatorial primaries. While some lost at the polls, others were disqualified during the screening process.
Losing their Return Tickets
The House of Representatives witnessed even greater political casualties, with more than 50 members reportedly losing their return tickets across several states.
Several Committee Chairpersons and some ranking lawmakers also survived the primaries. This will ensure that the 11th National Assembly will retain several experienced legislators despite the high turnover recorded during the party nomination process.
The return of the lawmakers to Abuja is therefore expected to test the political atmosphere within both chambers. With many legislators now aware that their parliamentary career may end in 2027, attention will now focus on whether the outcome of the primaries influences legislative debates, voting patterns and relations between the executive and legislature.
The months ahead may also reveal whether lawmakers denied return tickets choose to remain loyal to party leadership or adopt positions that reflect their altered political circumstances.
