37 PDP Lawmakers Defect To APC

 

37 members of the House of Representatives who were formerly under the umbrella of the Peoples’ Democratic Party have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC)

The lawmakers said that they are joining the APC due to “division and factionalisation” within the ruling party.
Decampees also said that their defection to the APC is in obedience to section 68, subsection 1G of the constitution.

Posted by: Channels Television

Canadian Emerges From Bunker 14 Years After Y2K Scare

After being away from society in a bunker for 14 years, Norman Feller is most impressed with KFC’s ‘Double Down’ sandwich.

Do you remember the Y2K scare? Anticipation of a new era along with a possibility of a global doomsday surely gave us a emotional roller coaster ride. Unfortunately it took one Canadian man 14 years to find out that it was one of the biggest false alarm ever created.

“January 1, 2000 was the day that our computers were meant to fail us and change our lives forever. It was also the day that 44 year old Norman Feller headed into his underground bunker over fears of the fallout from the Y2K virus. Remarkably Mr. Feller spent the next 14 years in isolation only to emerge this past September.”

CBC Radio’s Peter Oldring talks with Norman Feller to learn more about his unbelievable decision to live underground.

Click here to find out!

http://blog.rtba.co/canadian-emerges-from-bunker-14-years-after-y2k-scare/#.UrBoiyeniM8

Sanusi’s Letter to Jonathan – Outrage Trails U.S.$49.8 Billion Unremitted Oil Revenue

The revelation by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, in a letter issued by him (not signed) that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has failed to remit $49.8 billion, being proceeds from crude sales between January 2012 and July 2013 to the Federation Account, has elicited widespread outrage.

The said amount represents 76 per cent of the value of crude oil lifting during the period, in which the NNPC was said to have remitted $15.5bn, representing a paltry 24 per cent of the total value of $65.3bn. Sanusi had disclosed this in a letter written to President Goodluck Jonathan.

But, the NNPC has refuted the report credited to Sanusi, saying that the allegation was borne out of misunderstanding of the workings of the oil and gas industry and the modality for remitting crude oil sales revenue into the Federation Account.

Reacting to the development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) described the non-remittance of the funds to the nation’s coffers as the stocking of a war chest towards the 2015 polls.

In a telephone chat with LEADERSHIP in Lagos yesterday, interim national publicity secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to speak up on the issue, if he is not to be held culpable.

Mohammed also stated that the current situation was in keeping with the level of corruption in the country, saying that the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration had shown its unwillingness to curb corruption in the country.

“It is a deliberate scheme by the government and it is one the plans aimed at 2015. It is a war chest and if it is not, the president must speak up if the government is not culpable. Never in the history of the country has the level of corruption been so high,” Mohammed said.

It’s time to demand accountability – Aturu

Lagos-based human rights activist and legal practitioner, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, has commended the action of the CBN governor for raising the alarm. He, however, said it should have come much earlier, just as he reasoned that the action was a mere confirmation of what is known to the public regarding the way the country is being managed.

Aturu, who spoke to LEADERSHIP last night in Lagos, said Nigerians are waiting for the action of the president on the shameful issue, saying that Nigerians must rise to demand for accountability in the manner in which the country is being managed.

He said, “To me, the situation will ultimately make Nigerians demand for more accountability in the way and manner that they are being governed. This is a test case for all of us.”

Benefiting interests frustrating PIB passage – EITI

Also reacting to the development, Nigeria’s representative on the global Board of the Extractive Industries Transparency initiative (EITI), Faith Nwadishi said, “These are issues the Petroleum Industry Bill is meant to address. But the people who are benefiting from NNPC as it is do not want the PIB to be passed. The development is a reflection of the findings of various oil and gas sector audits by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which shows that the NNPC reports to no one, but itself.”

Nwadishi, who is also the national coordinator, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria, said the practice had been going on for years and praised the CBN governor for taking the bold step to write the presidency. He said, “The citizens should take the report and demand accountability. The NNPC needs to serve national interest. The fight against corruption is the people’s fight, because the National Assembly has done nothing about all the other reports indicting the NNPC of corruption. They instituted a probe but nothing has come out of the probe.”

President has shown no will to fight corruption – Agbaje

In his reaction, human rights lawyer, Fred Agbaje said, “The bombshell coming from the CBN and the speaker of the House of Representatives AminuTambuwal in respect of the body language of the president to the fight against corruption is true and correct. The president has never shown any willpower to fight corruption. In fact, corruption is fighting this government. The media team of the president was quick to react to the statement made by the speaker, but is this letter from the CBN not confirming what Tambuwal has said? Will they also accuse the CBN governor of being partisan?”

Find missing money, SERAP tells presidency

Similarly, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently query the NNPC over its allegations. The organisation also asked the president to “publicly announce to Nigerians what he is doing to find the missing funds and to bring suspected perpetrators to justice,” adding that “this case provides the president a rare opportunity to show that he is truly committed to the oft-repeated fight against corruption.”

“It is certainly not enough for this government to simply praise Nelson Mandela. If the president is truly inspired by Mandela, he needs to begin to show the leadership and steadfast commitment required to end corruption,” SERAP added.

Revelations calls for sleepless nights – CLO

Also in his reaction, the executive director, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) Comrade Buchi Ezike, noted that in a society where transparency, accountability and issues of graft are taken seriously, this would be ear-tingling news that should cause the president and those in government sleepless nights.

He, however, said, “We in CLO do not expect that anything good will come out of the CBN allegation. All of them are involved in the dirty deals of plundering and squandering our country and so nobody prosecutes him or herself.”

Various NEITI oil and gas industry reports have indicted the NNPC over discrepancies in remittance of crude oil sales and lifting. For example, the 2009-2011 report alone revealed that the federation lost about N2.153trillion to unwholesome activities by the NNPC.

Allegation baseless – NNPC

But the NNPC has debunked the claim of Sanusi in a statement issued yesterday by the general manager, media relations department of the NNPC, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim. Ibrahim said, “For the avoidance of doubt, it needs to be stated that the figure of 594.024 million barrels of crude oil given by the CBN as the total crude oil lifting for the period of January 2012 to July 2013 does not represent the correct picture of crude oil lifting for the period. From our records, the correct figure is 618.55m barrels. This shows that the CBN understated the actual crude lifting by 4.13%.”

He explained that revenue from crude oil lifting is in various categories, namely Equity Crude, Petroleum Profit Tax, Royalty, Third Party Financing and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company.

“Revenues from each of these categories are statutorily collected by different agencies of the government. The NNPC collects only one of the aforementioned categories, namely Equity Crude. Petroleum Profit Tax is collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service; Royalty goes to the Department of Petroleum Resources; Third Party financing goes for Research, Development, Programme and Satellite fields Development, while NPDC goes to NPDC for upstream development. While NNPC pays proceeds from Equity crude directly to the Federation Account with the CBN, the FIRS and DPR pay PPT and Royalty respectively into the Federation Account with the CBN. The sum total of these proceeds makes up the alleged unremitted revenues,” he said.

He added that, “The 24% of total crude oil revenue receipts which the CBN governor is reported to have acknowledged that NNPC remitted represents the proceeds from the equity lifting, which NNPC is directly responsible for. The alleged unremitted 76% was paid to the agencies that are statutorily empowered to receive them for onward remittance into the Federation Account.”

Ibrahim further stressed the need for top government functionaries to seek understanding of issues that are not clear to them from relevant agencies, rather than go public with misleading information that is capable of creating public disaffection.

culled from Naija Sharp News http://naijasharpnews.com/?p=627 AllAfrica.com

DEFECTION OF LAWMAKERS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

With the fallout of 5 of the nPDP governors culminating in their defection to APC, a lot of opinions have been expressed especially as it borders on the composition of the legislature. While some have expressed positions such as Members of the legislature who intend to defect to APC might lose their seats, it has become pertinent to post statutory conditions for defection by members of the National Assembly;

The 1999 Constitution allows defection of lawmakers if there is division in any political party.

Section 68 (1) says: “ A member of the Senate or the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House which he is a member if -

(a) he becomes a member of another legislative house;

(b) any other circumstance arise that, if he were not a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, would cause him to be disqualified for election as a member;

(c) he ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria;

(d) he becomes President, Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor or a Minister of the Government of the Federation or a Commissioner of the Government of a State or a Special Adviser;

(e) save as otherwise prescribed by this Constitution, he becomes a member of a Commission or other body established by the Constitution or by any other law;

(f) without just cause he is absent from meetings of the House of which he is a member or a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days during which the House meets in any one year;

(g) being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected:

“Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.”

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR CONSTITUTION REVIEW

Towards the last quarter of the 6th National Assembly in Nigeria, the process of Constitution Review began and culminated in the amendment of several sections including the Electoral Act. At the beginning of the 7th National Assembly, the Senate especially spear headed the process which the House of Representatives concurred. 

To this end, many optimistic Nigerians saw the process as a way of liberating the people. The wide zonal and constituency consultations offered a lot of hope since they were met with large crowds of attendants. These consultations resulted to the enumeration of several issues to be tabled for discussion in the legislature and subsequent translation into laws that would amend affected areas of our constitution. The Senate especially set criteria to begin legislative activities that would consider issues like states creation, boundary adjustments, local government autonomy and host of other issues. 

Of course the process is on going. However, in recent times the entire process or better still the brouhaha associated with it has fizzled out. In fact, what seemed to be a transparent process guided by public opinion began to lost its integrity and representation, leading to many Nigerians asking questions as to the integrity of the process and its eventual outcome.

The year 2013 is gradually coming to an end and nothing tangible has been recorded as success of the committees on Constitution Review of both Houses especially given the huge amount of public funds that have been allocated for this purpose.

Does it mean the Constitution Review Process has ended? what is happening to the aspirations of Nigerians that have been brought forward for legislative action? Do members of the Committees have requisite knowledge in advancing their roles? what of the hundreds of millions of Naira been voted for the course? Is it another case of deceiving the populace? Nigerians demand answers to these questions to know exactly where their fate lie. We ought to remember that the voting results from both Houses of the National Assembly must be reconciled in order that they are sent to the State Houses of Assembly for another round of voting. Where are we exactly on the time table or agenda of the Process? It will only be wicked if this set of Nigerians come back next year through the budget asking for more funds when nothing is on ground to justify any further trust. While we await any positive action in that direction, Nigerians ought to ask those they sent to represent them, questions about the on-goings in the constitution review process. We demand genuine answers where our security, welfare and livelihood is being directed. 

The least we can do, is educate and remind ourselves of our rights in a democracy. 

NIGERIA’S PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL PARLIAMENTARY ORGANIZATIONS

Since return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria has participated in several international parliamentary organizations. Prior to the return to democracy, Nigeria had been suspended from participating in these organizations since only countries practicing democracy with evident legislatures are admitted. The aims and objectives of these organizations are geared towards improving the status of member countries. Some of these organizations include but not limited to the following:

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)       

The IPU is an international organization which brings together representatives from the legislature in the member states. While it shares the UN objectives, supports its effort and works in close relation with the organization, it also works to enhance peace and cooperation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative institutions.

Membership of the organization as stipulated in Article of the IPU Statues states that; the Inter-Parliamentary Union shall be comprised of National Groups representing their respective Parliaments. It is presently comprised of 162 Member Parliaments and 10 Associate Members.

Following return to democracy in 1999, the Nigerian government applied for re-admission into the body. The Council of the IPU at its sitting during the 103^rd Conference held in Berlin, Germany resolved to approve the Nigerian request to re-affiliate with the Union as a National Group.

Subscription is mandatory for each National Group who may not be allowed to vote if they owe financial arrears equalling or exceeding the amount of its contribution for the preceding two full years.

Voting is done in a manner that only delegates present in person shall have the right to vote and every member-state is entitled to 10 votes and additional number of votes with regards to her population. Nigeria is entitled to 20 votes. It is interesting to note that any delegation that is composed with parliamentarians of same sex for 3 consecutive years shall have a minimum of 8 votes instead of 10.

The Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP) is a consultative organ of the IPU made up of Clerks of Parliaments and Senior Parliamentary Officials. Since 1999, Nigeria has been an active player in the Organization and its delegation is usually led by the President of the Senate.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an Association of Commonwealth Parliamentarians “who irrespective of gender, race, religion or culture are united by a community of interests, respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedom, and by pursuit of the positive ideals of Parliamentary democracy”.

The CPA’s aims and objectives as stated in Article 1(1) and (2) of its Constitution are to “promote knowledge of the Constitutional, Legislative, economic, social and cultural aspects of parliamentary democracy, with particular reference to the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations”.

A country is accepted as a member of the Association upon written application by the Legislature to the Secretary General of the Association.

Nigeria’s participation in the CPA dates back to the post-independence Parliament of the Federal Republic. Nigeria hosted the Association’s Conference for the first time in 1962 in Lagos. Following Nigeria’s long years of military rule, Nigeria lost its membership of the Organization but was re-admitted in 1999 at the 45^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in Trinidad and Tobago. Membership fees are paid according to units of members in a country. In Nigeria, the National Assembly pays €39,690 annually as the membership fee while all the states who are members pay about €7,000 - €10,000. Thus, a country is suspended from the CPA if it owes membership fees of over 12 months in arrears. The Nigerian delegation to the CPA is usually led by the Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Nigeria has held the following offices since re-admission in 1999:

1.      Hon. Ghali U. Na’Abba -        Chairman CPA (Africa Region) August                                                         2001 - 2002.

2.      Hon. Mohammed Wakil  -        Member CPA Executive Committee                                                   September 2000 – June, 2003.

3.      Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa    -        Senior Representative, Commonwealth                                                         Women Parliamentarians (CWP)                                                                   September 2002 – June, 2003.

4.      Hon. Farouk M. Lawan   -        Member CPA Executive Committee June,                                           2003 – September 2003.

5.      Sen. Daisy Danjuma        -        Senior Representative, Commonwealth                                                         Women Parliamentarians (CWP) June,                                                                    2003 – September 2003.

6.      Hon. Aminu Bello Masari          -        President CPA 2005 – 2006

7.      Hon. Peter N. Jiya           -        Alternate Regional Representative 2005 –                                           2007

8.      Hon. Binta Masi Garba   -        Vice President, Commonwealth          Women                                              Parliamentarians (CWP), 2008 – 2010

9.      Hon. Francis Ada            -        Regional Representative CPA (Africa                                                  Region), 2013

10. Hon. Christina Alaaga     -        Vice President, Commonwealth Women                                             Parliamentarians (CWP), 2013  

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Africa Region)

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Africa Region) is an organization of the National Parliaments and Provincial/ State Territorial Legislatures of member-countries of the Commonwealth on the continent of Africa. It became part of the CPA in 1948 and holds its Regional Plenary Conference annually.

Its aims and objectives are

·        To promote the interest of Africa into the Commonwealth and beyond

·        To promote knowledge and education concerning the constitutional, legislative, economic, social and cultural systems of member countries in the Region and beyond

·        To promote and maintain gender equality and emancipation of women

·        To promote respect for Human Rights and Freedom

·        To pursue the ideals of democracy and good governance.

Membership of the CPA (Africa Region) is open to National, Provincial, State or Territorial Legislatures of member-country in Africa. National Assembly pays $1,800 as membership dues to the organization. The Association currently has 19 members and 45 sub-national branches.

Hon. Daniel Reyenieju, House committee Chairman Inter-parliamentary Relations

Hon. Daniel Reyenieju from the House of Representatives of Nigeria is currently the Vice President CPA (Africa Region).

ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly

The ACP–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly was created to bring together the elected representatives of the European Union (the Members of the European Parliament) and the elected representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP countries) that have signed the Cotonou Agreement which invariably states the status of the organization

Following the return of democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria commenced the attendance of meetings and Conferences. Consequently, Nigeria hosted the 30^th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly in Abuja in 2000.

The roles of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly as a consultative body include the following:

• promote democratic processes through dialogue and consultation;
• facilitate greater understanding between the peoples of the European Union and those of the ACP :States and raise public awareness of development issues;
• discuss issues pertaining to development and the ACP-EU Partnership;
• adopt resolutions and make recommendations to the Council of Ministers with a view to achieving the objectives of this Agreement.

The Joint Parliamentary Assembly meets twice a year in plenary session, alternately in the European Union and in an ACP State.

African Parliamentary Union (APU)

The African Parliamentary Union (APU) is an international parliamentary continental organization founded in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on the 13^th February 1976. Its Constitution was modified and adopted at the 22^nd Conference of the Union in Luanda, Angola, in 1999. The National Parliament of any African State is allowed to apply for membership of the organization. Upon admission each national parliament constitutes a national group. It is interesting to also note that it is mandatory that each delegation of a national group to the session of the organization should include at least one woman.

The main objectives of the Union are;

·        To bring together Parliamentary Institutions of all African States;

·        To encourage contacts among African Parliamentarians on one hand and between African Parliamentarians and Parliamentarians of other continents on the other hand.

·        To contribute to the strengthening of Parliamentary Institutions in Africa, the promotion of democracy and Human Rights, and the realization of the objectives of the Organization of African Unity (now African Union) for the establishment of durable peace.

At present, about 40 national parliaments are members of the APU including Nigeria.

Pan-African Parliament (PAP)

The PAN-African Parliament also known as the African Parliament is the legislative organ of the African Union. It was adopted by a Protocol during the OAU Summit in Lome, Togo in 2000 and was established in March 2004, by Article 17 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, as one of the nine Organs provided for in the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community signed in Abuja, Nigeria, in 1991.

The objectives of the Pan-African Parliament include:

·        Facilitate the effective implementation of the policies and objectives of the OAU/AEC and, ultimately, of the African Union;

·        Promote the principles of human rights and democracy in Africa;

·        Encourage good governance, transparency and accountability in Member States;

·        Familiarize the peoples of Africa with the objectives and policies aimed at integrating the African continent within the framework of the establishment of the African Union;

·        Promote peace, security and stability;

·        Contribute to a more prosperous future for the people of Africa by promoting collective self-reliance and economic recovery;

·        Facilitate cooperation and development in Africa

·        Strengthen Continental solidarity and build a sense of common destiny among the peoples of Africa;

·        Facilitate cooperation among Regional Economic Communities and their Parliamentary fora.

Membership of the Parliament comprises of 265 representatives elected by the Parliaments of 47 of the 54 African Union states.

Hon. Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi from the House of Representatives of Nigeria is the current President, Pan-African Parliament.

 

Parliamentary Friendship Group

In addition to the parliamentary organizations discussed above, the National Assembly also establish relationship ties with other countries under what is called Parliamentary Friendship Groups. Examples include the Nigeria – Saudi Arabia, Nigeria – France, Nigeria – Turkey, Nigeria Sao Tome & Principe etc. There are over 15 of such friendship groups currently existing in the National Assembly.

Conclusion

It is expected that Nigeria’s participation to these organizations is beneficial to the legislature in particular and Nigeria at large. However, evaluating such benefits may be another subject of discussion.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND INTERNATIONAL PARLIAMENTARY ORGANIZATIONS: WHAT IMPACT ARE THE RESOLUTIONS ON NIGERIAN PARLIAMENTS

A country’s foreign relation refers to the relationship that exists between the public policy organ of that country and other countries and entities abroad. The main goal of such relationship is basically to create, develop and manage foreign policy by continuously projecting self interest in the formulation of a universal policy. This infers that in a democratic setting, a country’s foreign relations or policy is a composition of the relationship that exists between both the Executive and Legislative arms (saddled with the responsibility of evolving or shaping public policy) and other countries/entities. This also means that Nigeria’s engagement in inter-parliamentary relations through the legislature is part of her foreign relation activities.

Since 1999, Nigeria has been a prominent player in the international arena either at the executive or legislative level.

Nigeria’s foreign policy has all along been centred on Africa as a Regional power, with the principle of promoting unity and independence, exercising dominant influence in the region, peaceful conflict resolution, non-alignment and non-intentional interference in the internal affairs of other nations, and regional economic co-operation and development. In this respect, Nigeria participates prominently in International Associations like the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth, and the United Nations amongst other organizations.

The National Assembly since 1999 had to participate actively in Inter-Parliamentary Organizations which was hitherto denied the country due to the long years of military rule. Among others the Nigerian Legislature especially the National Assembly play active roles in the International Parliamentary Organizations like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the African Parliamentary Union (APU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, PAN African Parliament (organ of the African Union), ECOWAS Parliament and Friendship Groups amongst others.

For effective coordination and articulation of the resolutions arising from the organizations, the two Chambers have committees that liaise with the National Secretariat of Nigerian Legislatures (NSNL) to harness the benefits from Nigeria’s participation in the parliamentary organizations. The Committees for Inter-Parliamentary Relations are established by the Senate and House of Representatives to treat matters bordering on Inter-parliamentary activities. In this respect, the Committees are to:

        i.            Study, analyze and suggest improvement of the charters of all inter-parliamentary co-operative groupings of which the House is a member as well as to find other ways by which Nigerian Legislature shall exert itself thereon;

      ii.            Initiate good policies on parliamentary research and documentation and ensure an efficient data bank on the National and State Houses of Assembly;

    iii.            Ensure the maintenance of harmonious and productive relations between the National Assembly and all world Parliaments;

    iv.            Recommend to the House the formation of, and entry into, any new parliamentary grouping;

      v.            Ensure the maintenance of harmonious and productive relations with and in all International Parliamentary Associations such as Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Union of African Parliament (APU), ACP/EU;

    vi.            Co-ordinate national and international parliamentary exchanges, hospitality and courtesies on reciprocal basis;

  vii.            Make recommendations to the House as to the desirability of the House sending delegation to specific inter-parliamentary events;

viii.            Initiate the Organization of national and international conferences, seminars, workshops and other fora for the dissemination of parliamentary education and experiences;

    ix.            Represent the National Assembly in specific International Parliamentary Associations or groupings on terms agreed to between the House and the Senate;

      x.            Ensure good relationship between the National Assembly and State Houses of assembly;

    xi.            Ensure the execution of House Resolutions on Inter-Parliamentary Relations;

  xii.            Annual budget estimates for the Committee.

Sen. David Mark, Nigeria's Senate President

Though these functions are clear and valuable, it is not clear how the Committees are able to actualize the expectations from the conferences despite huge financial contributions of the National Assembly to the Conferences. The main Inter-Parliamentary Organizations the National Assembly participates effectively include but not limited to: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Africa Region), ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, African Parliamentary Union (APU), Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and several Parliamentary Friendship Groups.

Impact of Inter-Parliamentary Conferences on Lawmaking in Nigeria

The National Assembly through the two Houses have consistently engaged in legislative actions that are in consonance with resolutions from various international organizations. For instance, the House Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations has incessantly contributed to Charters, Agreements and Pacts entered into by the House of Representatives. Under the Bankole led-leadership of the House of Representatives, the Committee worked assiduously with the Turkish Parliament to evolve the Turkish - Nigeria Charter which was subsequently presented on the Floor of the House of Representatives for approval by the erstwhile Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Binta Masi Garba.

The impact of the resolutions arising from the meetings of international organizations is in no small measure beneficial to the socio-political development of a member state. In Nigeria, the Child Right Act of 2003, the National Poverty Alleviation Programme, National Agency for the Prohibition in Traffic in Persons Act 2004, The National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act 2010 and legislations on climate change, electoral matters, violence against women and children, arms proliferation and trafficking, peace and security as well as terrorism amongst others were all conceptualized from deliberations and resolutions of international parliamentary organizations.

It is arguable that the domestication of the policy which gave birth to the Child’s Right Act passed by the National Assembly and over 20 states of the federation is viewed to have received the most impact in Nigeria.

RT. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Nigeria's Speaker of the House of Representatives

Furthermore, the declaration of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the United Nations in 2000 saw most international parliamentary organizations like the IPU, ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, APU and CPA pass resolutions to support the pronouncement. Accordingly, there is no gainsaying the fact that the issue of MDGs since then became topical in Nigeria, with the National Assembly and State legislatures affirming the resolutions of these parliamentary organizations and providing legislative activities aimed at realizing the achievement of the Goals by 2015. It is not in doubt that Members of the National and State Houses of Assembly who participate in Inter-Parliamentary Organizations have positively contributed to the process of lawmaking and governance in Nigeria. Such participation has also increased member’s legislative experience and knowledge in the growth of the legislature in Nigeria.

Challenges

Though members gain experience and knowledge from their interaction with their counterparts from other parliaments, it must be stated that implementing some of the decisions of the conferences have always posed serious challenge in Nigeria. Even though Nigeria belongs to certain organizations and are part of the decisions from deliberations of their meetings and for example naturally agrees to the guidelines that stipulate a 26 percent budgetary provision for education, the education sector budget in Nigeria has barely been more than 10 percent. Recently, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi advocated the allocation of 30 per cent budgetary provision at all levels of government to education to address the decay in the sector; however the expected outcome of such proposal is yet to be seen.

Binta Garba, former Chairperson Inter-Parliamentary Relations

Sometimes the lack of political will manifests in undermining some of the actions contemplated by these resolutions. On the other hand, there are often institutional lapses in the organization and composition of Nigerian delegates as well as the process of attending the events of these organizations.  For instance there is no proper platform for Nigerian delegates to deliberate and resolve on the Nigerian position before attending these events and on return from these conferences or meetings, there is often lack of appropriate measures taken to translate these decisions into legislations or perhaps using these meetings as a means of gaining international exposure and knowledge. Thus, reports from deliberations of international parliamentary organizations are hardly presented on the floor of both Houses for consideration and further actions by delegates who attend these meetings or conferences. For example, in the last House of Representatives (2007 – 2011), the then Chief Whip of the House and current Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nkem Ihedioha led a delegation of the House of Representatives to attend a meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region. A resolution of the meeting centred on the provision of the CPA office in the National Assembly to specifically oversee matters concerning the CPA including the benefits from such organization. Regrettably, the efforts of the then Chief Whip in ensuring the implementation of this resolution never came to life. Many other resolutions have followed this direction which limits the impact of these resolutions on the National Assembly members and in the growth of the legislature.

Hon. Dimeji Bankole, former Speaker of House of Representatives

Conclusion

Having established the fact that countries all over the world do recognize that growth and development cannot be separated from partnership and cooperation, it should be emphasized that the legislature itself through the Committees on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and relevant departments should act appropriately and seriously in the guidance and direction of delegates to international parliamentary meetings especially in highlighting Nigeria’s position on topical issues of deliberations. It is important to also state that as a growing democracy and legislature, the National Assembly should rise up to the occasion, carrying the other legislative arms (state and local governments) along as time goes on. Hence, the impact of these resolutions from international parliamentary meetings and fora shall be adequately felt as the legislature in Nigeria continues to garner experience. This is why the resuscitation of the Conference of Presiding Officers in Nigeria which has not met in the past two years is imperative; to create a further platform through decisions reached at international organizations of the legislature would be discussed. This will not only help to strengthen the states legislatures but deepen our democracy and the growth of the Nigerian legislature.  

National Deceit or Conference

The day the Executive announced its intention for a national conference was the day, they told Nigerians we cant depend on the legislature.

Could that be an indictment? Perhaps no, because even legislators feel our dear country deserves to sit and talk. And i ask myself do they know why they were elected in the first place.

Our ignorance has made them turn us around a lot! After d conference, the President proposes that the resolutions shall be sent to National Assembly for ratification. Hmmmm! My people we ought to b patriotic, lets call a spade, a spade. If truly those talks are meant to create a new Nigeria for our children and those yet unborn, den they should ask us what we want and stop deceiving us. We have a legislature, the executive must allow it to consult, act and speak for us. If they (legislators) are not aware of their enormous task of speaking and acting on our behalf, they ought to know NOW! if not let the legislature take the back seat and allow Nigerians decide for themselves thru a referendum from a national dialogue or conference. they two (legislature and National Conference) are not compatible!

Its merely another leakage in the economy, legislators collecting salaries and allowances just as conference delegates get sitting and several other allowances. 

We must continue to educate ourselves until such a time when those we elected stop playing over our intelligence. the key is education, awareness, literacy...what ever you call it!

At this present day and time, should we still be fighting for our rights or demanding for our rights?

National Confab or Nigerian Legislature

Recent events ongoing in the Nigerian polity culminating in the constitution of a committee by President Goodluck to oversee a possible national dialogue have left me wondering what the future holds for our dear country.

It was in 1999 that we returned to democratic rule and Nigerians expected nothing but a new and better lease of life. Of course democracy with the resuscitation of the legislature was meant to guarantee freedom and equity in the distribution of the wonderful and enormous resources we have. With these pool of resources, there is no doubt that decision making regarding how best to distribute welfare and our interactions with other nations can only be handled by a few who are recognized and determined by the rights and obligation of citizens.

More than 14 years after the return to democracy, we are still lamenting on what ought to comprise Nigeria, what ought to be, and what is right or wrong!!! We have continuously experimented a multi-party system of democracy that would present an array of several alternative candidates for election based on the rights and unanimous decisions of the people. Since 1999, we have at different times, elected people into executive positions and a host of others to represent us (entirely) in the different tiers of the legislature.

 

But we lost faith in our leaders when they started getting it all wrong. I don’t blame us; we inherited this loss of faith from the long reign of military reign in which we were never considered in decision making.

However, times have changed and we need to listen to the different style of music being played in Nigeria… the so called retired generals are also listening attentively and already dancing to the new rhythm. Why then do we continue to form lack of concern or indifference? Perhaps it looks like a dawn of civilian dictators referred to as godfathers manipulating us like powerless pawns on a chess board having taken over from their cohorts during the military reign.

With my little knowledge of democracy and how the legislature works, I feel ultimately that the legislature was designed to deliberate on virtually everything that affects us a Nigerian people. That is why as soon as the generality of Nigerians believed that there were loopholes in the rules that guide us and keep us together as a federation; the legislature began consultations on filling these holes – the constitutional amendment process. The turn of events however showed the enormous ignorance of Nigerians regarding their rights to happy living. I was present in a public hearing on constitutional amendments, the North Central venue where people from that region were meant to gather to present their agitations. The venue incidentally played host to a large number of groups, associations, institutions (both public and private) and individuals. Although, the agitations presented were tilted more towards states and local government creation as well as autonomy of the last tier of government, a variety of other issues including the indigene/citizenship debate topped the agenda. The constitution review process under a democracy therefore presented Nigerians with the ample opportunity to define once again what determines Nigeria; how best do we go about administering our resources; what exactly do we want; what is the hope for generations yet unborn?....

But we lost it again! For instance, legislators consulted their constituents on several issues; obtained their decisions; brought them back to the National Assembly and voted against the people’s desire. Incidentally nobody is saying anything about it. Perhaps nobody even sees anything wrong with it. But a certain group of people were knowledgeable enough to invite their Senator who voted against their wishes! That is what I call democracy in practice. I actually anticipated that line of action would precede an entirely new direction to our democracy – evaluating our representatives.

Today, those are the helm of affairs have begun clamoring for a national conference/dialogue. The same conference the people demanded for when they felt they were not been consulted during the military era. It was only natural that a military regime that displayed little patience with the people will want to listen to their agitations and translate those they wished into decrees. In the contemporary Nigeria state, democracy has taken over military dictatorship and a national dialogue no matter how it seems like an amicable solution to a society that constantly demonstrates divergent views, ways of living and upholds federating units becomes unfamiliar or better still is not recognized by any form of law.

What then did the people who gathered in various sections of the country during public hearings on constitution review converge for? Is it because, sittings allowances were not paid and it was organized by the legislature? Truth be told and reality checked once more. What is the purpose for a national conference? To discuss the way forward apparently. Can’t the legislature at various tiers discuss the way forward given its statutory mandate? - make laws for the peace, order and good government of the people. These and many other questions continue to challenge the legality of a national conference and its eventual decisions. What are we going to do with the decisions from such a dialogue? Publish them as a communiqué in national dailies or ratify them as laws in the legislature. Will the National Assembly keep existing and allowances/salaries paid while a national conference is going on and delegates are been paid and cost of conference catered? Is the national conference usurping the powers of the legislature or contemplating it? Time shall tell!!!

Ironically, Senator David Mark, the Senate President of Nigeria’s distinguished Senate is a core proponent of a national conference. So you ask yourself, what is really the way forward and which do we prefer, National Confab or Nigerian Legislature?