When the story of the 10th National Assembly is told in the years to come, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen will be listed as the architect of a new parliamentary culture. And, he rightly deserves to be so mentioned. That parliamentary culture is called The Open Week. Last week, he led Nigerians from diverse backgrounds –students, youth groups, women groups, civil society groups, traditional and religious leaders, diplomats- to celebrate the second edition of The Open Week by witnessing, participating, and influencing the legislative process. The event, themed “Deepening Citizens’ Trust and Participation: Celebrating Our Journey as the People’s House,” ended on a resounding note and signposted the institutionalisation of an era of legislative transparency, accountability and inclusivity. It also made the House stand out as the more open of the two chambers.
The Open Week was Speaker Abbas’s response to the need for Nigerians to be ‘carried along’ in the legislative process. With that, Abbas created a new platform to demonstrate his commitment to open governance and participatory legislation. It turned out that his idea of an Open Week, first expressed in 2024, has evolved into a significant democratic investment that is gradually reshaping Nigeria’s parliamentary culture and positioning the country as a global model for legislative engagement.
Historically, Nigeria’s legislature has been bogged down with criticism for being detached from the people. This has created a perception problem for the parliament, making Nigerians see it as operating in high-level secrecy. This is worse with the 10th Senate. But, it is obvious, from his leadership style, which Abbas is deeply aware of this problem and has fashioned out the Open Week as a cure. Through that, he is intentionally dismantling the barriers and creating a legislature that listens, engages, and reflects the aspirations of the people. That was the meaning of the Open Week, which is a manifestation of his vision. Activities of the week included public hearings, town halls, interactive sessions with students, and exhibitions showcasing the House’s legislative achievements. Already, this vision of Abbas is attracting international attention with parliaments from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union expressing interest in sending delegations to study this novel introduction to promote inclusive legislation and open governance. This, in itself, is attestation to the global resonance of Abbas’s vision, which transcends borders and offers a blueprint for legislative engagement in the 21st century.
Speaking in his keynote address at the opening ceremony, Speaker Abbas articulated a new vision to deliver a legislature that serves as a beacon of trust and accountability when he said, “Our democracy must be measured not merely by its procedures but by its inclusiveness.” With that, he emphasised that the Open Week was a deliberate step toward strengthening public confidence, promoting civic education, and fostering mutual respect between citizens and their representatives. Only an Abbas can think that way. That vision also defines his stewardship at the House since 2011 when he first contested to represent Zaria Federal Constituency. Since then, he has the enviable record of having 21 of the 74 bills he sponsored between 2019 and 2023 signed into law. That showcases his dedication to impactful policy-making.
His role as Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives has distinguished him as a transformative figure. In the discharge of this role, Abbas embodies loyalty, empathy, accountability, duty and determination. He is also an encouraging, respectful, selfless, humble, innovative and passionate parliamentarian who takes pride in impacting others. He prioritises people over power. This is why voters in Zaria Federal Constituency have voted for him consistently since 2011. He trades dialogue over distance and prefers transparency over tradition. His leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that a legislature’s legitimacy hinges on its accessibility and responsiveness to the people it serves. As the speaker, he exhibits these traits in his relationship with other members of the House as well as the staff of his office and his aides. This is why they love him and want to see him climb higher on the leadership ladder.
Simply put, by opening the doors of the House of Representatives to the public, Abbas signalled a departure from the opaque traditions of the past and embraced a model of governance that prioritises accessibility and inclusivity. By making legislative activities visible and understandable, Abbas also reinforced the social contract between the government and the governed. Through this, he ensures that the House operates with integrity and in the public interest. His emphasis on speaking directly with the people, which the open week embodies, speaks to Abbas’ intention in creating a feedback loop that strengthens the House of Representatives’ responsiveness to national challenges as directly related to it by the people.
Despite its success, the Open Week is not without challenges. Sustaining public interest and participation requires ongoing investment in civic education and outreach. This is because misinformation and digital security threats pose risks to the initiative’s credibility. Additionally, ensuring that the diverse voices heard during the Open Week translate into tangible legislative outcomes demands continued commitment from the lawmakers. However, Abbas is well-equipped to navigate these challenges. His track record of resilience, which is evident in his ability to sustain public trust, demonstrates his capacity to lead through adversity. He has successfully laid a foundation for sustained citizen engagement, and his call for further collaboration with civil society, government agencies, and the private sector will further ensure that the Open Week’s impact is amplified through collective action.
With his steady reformative steps, transparency, accountable disposition, and love for participatory legislature, Speaker Abbas has not only restored public trust in the House of Representatives but also positioned Nigeria as a trailblazer in global governance. He has also demystified governance and empowered Nigerians with a new set of standards for legislative excellence. His leadership will most certainly inspire a new generation of Nigerians to believe in the power of their voices and, through it, foster a democracy that is truly by the people and for the people.
As Nigeria looks to its future, the Open Week stands as a testament to the transformative power of visionary leadership, which Speaker Abbas, with his unwavering commitment to open governance and participatory legislation, has instituted in Nigeria’s legislative calendar, and through which he has raised the bar and redefined the essence of legislative leadership. His legacy of inclusion, transparency, and trust will continue to shape Nigeria’s democratic journey for generations to come.
