The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has formally declared his intention to seek a fifth term in the National Assembly.
Abbas made the declaration on Saturday during a grand rally held at the Mallawa Eid Ground in Zaria, promising to consolidate what he described as years of impactful representation for the people of Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State.
The rally was attended by thousands of supporters, party loyalists, community leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, supporters of the Speaker embarked on a solidarity procession from the Emir’s Palace in Zaria through Babban Dodo, Lemu, Kofar Doka and Tudun Wada before converging at the venue of the declaration ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Abbas said his decision to seek re-election was based on what he called “visible results and practical representation,” stressing that his years in office had brought measurable development to the constituency.
“Today, I formally declare my intention to seek another mandate to represent the good people of Zaria Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. This declaration is not based on promises alone. It is based on work. It is based on results,” he stated.
The Speaker, who has represented the constituency since 2011, said he remained one of the most active lawmakers in the country, noting that he had sponsored 74 bills, with 21 already signed into law.
Abbas highlighted several constituency projects facilitated under his representation, including support for farmers with tractors, fertilisers and agricultural equipment, as well as empowerment programmes involving the distribution of vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles to youths, transport operators, party structures and community stakeholders.
“We expanded these interventions on a larger scale by distributing 117 vehicles, 200 tricycles, and 1,000 motorcycles across communities, support groups, religious leaders, polling unit structures, and grassroots stakeholders,” he said.
He further disclosed that over 2,400 beneficiaries received direct financial support through empowerment initiatives, with 800 trained beneficiaries receiving N250,000 each, while 1,600 small business owners got N100,000 each.
On education, Abbas said his office facilitated the establishment of the Education City project in Zaria valued at about N80 billion, describing it as a strategic investment in the future of Northern Nigeria.
He also revealed that about 30,000 students had benefited from scholarship programmes worth N5 billion, alongside the rehabilitation of schools and expansion of educational access across the constituency.
Speaking on healthcare, the Speaker said several primary healthcare centres had been facilitated in different communities, while a newly completed 100-bed Specialist Hospital was recently commissioned through constituency intervention efforts with support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Abbas also pointed to infrastructural projects including roads, bridges and rural access schemes aimed at connecting neglected communities to economic opportunities.
Reflecting on his emergence as Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Abbas recalled that he secured 353 votes from lawmakers, describing it as one of the strongest mandates in the history of the House.
He said under his leadership, the House had introduced and considered over 2,000 bills within less than two years, with more than 180 passed and over 50 already signed into law.
According to him, the House strengthened legal frameworks for security agencies, expanded access to education through the student loan system and processed key economic reform legislations aimed at stabilising the country.
The Speaker also commended President Tinubu for what he described as courageous leadership in implementing difficult but necessary reforms, while praising Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for promoting peace and development in the state.
He equally appreciated the leadership of the APC, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths, artisans, traders and supporters across Zaria and Sabon Gari for their continued support.
Several APC stakeholders who attended the event reportedly commended Abbas for what they described as quality representation and effective leadership at the National Assembly.
