Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan Remembers When National Assembly Fully Asserted Its Authority

 

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reminisced about a time when the National Assembly (NASS) genuinely lived up to its name as a powerful and independent legislative body. Speaking at the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards Dinner in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Jonathan highlighted moments during his tenure when the legislature demonstrated exceptional assertiveness in shaping national laws.

Jonathan, honoured with the Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award, reflected on the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Bill as a prime example of NASS’s strength. He praised Senator Lee Maeba of Rivers State, who sponsored the bill, and other lawmakers for their crucial role in pushing the legislation forward. Jonathan recounted that while acting president in 2010, the National Assembly promptly presented the bill, and he quickly signed it into law. He lauded the swift establishment of a monitoring body to oversee its implementation. “That was a period when the National Assembly truly lived up to its name,” Jonathan remarked.

He also recalled the National Assembly’s decisive action in the year 2000 regarding the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) bill. When the bill was vetoed by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, the legislature showed its legislative muscle by overriding the veto. Jonathan explained that, contrary to many other countries where the president holds the veto power, Nigeria’s National Assembly has the authority to override presidential vetoes if the president fails to assent within 30 days. This requires a two-thirds majority by headcount, a process that reinforces the Assembly’s power.

Jonathan emphasized how this legislative framework empowered the Assembly to enact crucial laws like the NDDC Act, reinforcing its role in shaping Nigeria’s development. He used the occasion to commend the lawmakers who stood firm in ensuring these laws were passed, praising their dedication to national progress.

The former president particularly acknowledged Senator Lee Maeba and his team for their instrumental roles in advancing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Bill and the NDDC Act, both regarded as significant legislative achievements. “I would like to use this opportunity to commend Lee Maeba and his team,” Jonathan said, recognizing their lasting contributions.

Speaking at an event celebrating champions of Nigerian content, Jonathan’s reflections served as a powerful reminder of the critical role a strong and assertive National Assembly plays in Nigeria’s democracy. His remarks underscored how, during that period, the legislature fulfilled its constitutional responsibilities with resolve, setting an example for future lawmakers.

By recalling these pivotal moments, Jonathan highlighted the importance of legislative independence and the need for continued vigilance to ensure the Assembly can act effectively in the nation’s interest. His tribute offers a hopeful reminder of what Nigeria’s democracy can achieve when its institutions function as intended.