‘Jolly-Jolly’ lawmakers to finally resume

After a long holiday that stretched like an elastic band, Nigeria’s federal lawmakers will finally dust off their agbadas, re-polish their brogues, and head back to Abuja’s red and green chambers.

Yes, dear Nigerians, the National Assembly will be back in session and the city can breathe again as its jolly-jolly lawmakers return from their well-deserved (or so they think) siesta.

It has been over two months since they shut down the hallowed chambers on July 24 for their annual recess.

The rest of the country, meanwhile, trudged along, battling economic hardship, insecurity, and unemployment, among many other challenges.

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But for our lawmakers, it was time to “refresh, recharge, and rejuvenate.” After all, how can one make laws for 200 million people without the occasional extended holiday?

If democracy were a person, it would have been on hold these past ten weeks, lounging somewhere in a recliner, sipping palm wine, waiting for its caretakers to return.

From the outside, it almost seemed as though nothing was happening on the legislative front. Budgets, constitutional amendments, and petitions gathered dust while the lawmakers were on vacation in Dubai, London, and private resorts across Nigeria.

In fairness, some did spend their break “consulting constituents,” which, in Nigerian political lingo, usually translates to attending weddings, funerals, and thanksgiving services.

Others retreated quietly to their farms or businesses. But many Nigerians suspect that, simply enjoy the soft life that has become synonymous with being a legislator in Africa’s largest democracy.

A Soft Life Legislature

Let us not pretend: Nigeria’s National Assembly is not exactly a boot camp. This is the same parliament where plenary sessions often start late, attendance is spotty, and debates sometimes resemble friendly banter rather than heated legislative scrutiny.

Add to that the generous salaries, allowances, official cars, and endless committee trips, and you begin to understand why Nigerians often describe their lawmakers as the most comfortable public servants in the land.

During recess, stories filtered in of lawmakers spotted at five-star hotels in Abuja, vacationing abroad with their families, or hosting elaborate constituency parties.

And enjoyment, they did, the lawmakers lived the “soft life” while the average Nigerian continued to grapple with harsh realities.

The return parade

Now, as plenary resumes, Abuja will once again witness the familiar spectacle: convoys of tinted SUVs gliding into the National Assembly complex, lawmakers in freshly starched attires waving to cameras, and the business of lawmaking officially kicking off again.

On paper, the agenda is heavy. They must tackle the 2026 budget, vote on constitutional amendments, debate electoral reforms, and push through legislation on local government autonomy. But one cannot ignore the theatre that accompanies their return.

Journalists, staffers, and lobbyists will gather at the chambers to watch who arrives with swagger, who avoids the press, and who is already positioning for the next leadership tussle.

The lawmakers themselves relish the attention. For some, resumption day is almost like the first day of school; a chance to showcase new wardrobes, new alliances, and in some cases, new political hairstyles.

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Of long breaks and short memories

It is worth remembering that the recess itself is not abnormal. Legislatures across the world take breaks. The difference, however, is in what they leave behind when they pause.

For Nigeria’s lawmakers, especially the Senate, recess often feels like an abandonment; critical bills stall, oversight functions weaken, and committees go into hibernation. Take the constitutional review process, for instance. Hearings were held in July, citizens poured out their concerns, and reports were due. Then, suddenly, everything was put on hold for recess. Now, lawmakers will return to hurriedly catch up, as though nothing happened.

One can liken the mode of operation of the lawmakers to that of a student who takes a long break before exams and then tries to read all the notes the night before.

Jolly faces, serious matters

Of course, beneath the satire lies the truth: Nigeria’s challenges are grave, and the legislative agenda awaiting the lawmakers is weighty.

Inflation is biting harder, insecurity has refused to abate, unemployment remains high, and revenue shortfalls threaten governance at every level.

The 2026 budget, which President Bola Tinubu is expected to present soon, will test the Assembly’s seriousness.

So will the push for local government autonomy, a matter the Supreme Court has already spoken on, but which governors continue to resist.

The lawmakers must also revisit electoral reforms, amid widespread calls to strengthen INEC and guarantee credible elections.

But will they? Or will the resumption quickly slip into the usual rhythm of grandstanding, lengthy adjournments, and committee junkets? Nigerians are watching closely.

Behind the scenes, murmurs of discontent over unpaid constituency projects and leadership tussles are growing louder.

There are also whispers of looming defections, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) poised to strengthen its hold. As one insider remarked, “Recess was just the calm before the storm.”

A season of defections

Indeed, resumption day may double as defection day. Already, several lawmakers have quietly perfected plans to switch parties, citing “constituency pressure” or “irreconcilable differences” with their current platforms.

In truth, many simply want to align with the ruling party before constitutional votes and budget debates intensify.

Godswill Akpabio, the Senate president, some days ago promised President Bola Tinubu a gale of defections from governors to the All Progressives Congress. This will definitely not leave lawmakers out like we witnessed in Akwa-Ibom and Delta states.

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Nigerians’ cynical gaze

For ordinary Nigerians, the return of their lawmakers is met with a mixture of resignation and humour.

As the National Assembly reconvenes, the stakes are high. There are important bills to pass, budgets to scrutinise, and reforms to implement.

But there is also the lingering image of lawmakers as lovers of soft life, more comfortable with recess than rigorous lawmaking.

Perhaps this time, they will surprise Nigerians. Perhaps the “jolly-jolly lawmakers” will exchange their recliners for real legislative grit. Or perhaps, as one cynical observer put it, “They will just resume planning the next recess.”

Either way, Abuja will be alive again, and the cameras are ready. The lawmakers will be back, starched and smiling, to remind Nigerians that democracy may go on recess, but never really sleeps.