Sign in Subscribe
Ex-presidents

Former President Jonathan Commends Past National Assemblies for Legislative Courage

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Former President Goodluck Jonathan celebrated the exceptional legislative prowess of past National Assemblies, highlighting instances where they showed uncommon courage by overriding presidential vetoes and enacting crucial laws. He reminisced about the signing of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Bill in 2010, which he praised Senator Lee Maeba and his colleagues for sponsoring. Jonathan also drew attention to the 2000 passage of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) bill, which became law despite President Olusegun Obasanjo's refusal to assent. He commended the National Assembly for exercising their power to override the veto and enacting the bill into law.

Key Takeaways:

  • Former President Jonathan praised past National Assemblies for demonstrating remarkable legislative courage by overriding presidential vetoes and enacting critical laws.
  • The National Assembly signed the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Bill into law in 2010, with Lee Maeba and his colleagues being key sponsors.
  • The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) bill was passed in 2000 despite President Olusegun Obasanjo's refusal to assent, with the National Assembly exercising their power to override the veto.
  • The National Assembly can veto a bill if it does not receive presidential assent within 30 days, and they can reconvene to enact the bill into law with a two-thirds majority vote.
  • Lee Maeba and his team were credited by Jonathan for their efforts in sponsoring the NDDC bill.
  • The NDDC Act came into being as a result of the National Assembly's exercises of their legislative powers.

Statistics:

  • 2010: The year the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Bill was signed into law.
  • 2000: The year the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) bill was passed despite President Olusegun Obasanjo's refusal to assent.
  • 30 days: The timeframe within which the President must provide assent to a bill before the National Assembly can override the veto.
  • Two-thirds majority: The voting threshold required for the National Assembly to enact a bill into law after a presidential veto.

Sources:

  • "Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
  • "Champions of Nigerian Content Awards Dinner".

Read more