The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged the 10th National Assembly to focus on governance, accountability, and critical legislative reforms as it resumes plenary on Tuesday.

The organisation cautioned lawmakers against being distracted by early politicking ahead of the 2027 general elections.

CISLAC’s executive director, Auwal Rafsanjani, in a statement on Monday, described 2026 as a defining year for both the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration and the legislature, stressing that Nigerians now expect visible results from policies and programmes introduced since 2023.

Rafsanjani said Nigeria is at a stage where policies must begin to deliver measurable benefits, adding that the role of the National Assembly in achieving this cannot be overstated.

He expressed concern that the period leading up to the 2027 elections is historically associated with declining legislative productivity, often due to heightened political activity.

The organisation warned that public anxiety could intensify if proposals to hold general elections as early as November 2026 are pursued.

“Nigerians are worried, and rightly so, that governance may once again be sacrificed on the altar of politicking and electioneering. “At a time when the country faces economic hardship, worsening insecurity, rising public debt, and declining public trust in institutions, Nigeria cannot afford a distracted or compromised legislature.

The organisation outlined key priorities for lawmakers, adding that full commitment to plenary sessions, committee engagements, and oversight duties.

CISLAC also called for the fast-tracking of critical reforms, particularly in electoral, economic, security, and governance legislation, noting that electoral reform remains a core demand of citizens following lessons from the 2023 elections.

Rafsanjani stressed the need for strengthened oversight to promote transparency and accountability, particularly in budget implementation, public procurement, and management of public funds.

He warned that failure to exercise robust oversight would reinforce perceptions of the Assembly as a rubber-stamp institution.

“Nigerians elected lawmakers to legislate and provide oversight, not to abandon governance long before the official campaign period The legislature is the backbone of any democratic system, and in 2026, it must rise to this responsibility with integrity, discipline, and a clear commitment to the public interest”, he said.