Lessons from 8th Assembly and Need to Improve Legislative Representation —Moshood Isah. ||Anyigbaleft
There were mixed
reactions concerning the ability of the 8th National Assembly to perform at an
optimum level when it emerged in 2015. In fact, during its four-year tenure
between 2015 and 2019, there were some level of antagonism between the National
Assembly and the Executive arm of government. The consequence of such reported
negative alliance between these core arms of government no doubt left a
significant impression that the 8th National Assembly was a “Clog to the wheel
of progress” all through its period in office. However, political analysts in
other quarters, believed that having the three arms of government with varying
ideas on how the nation should progress is good for democracy as opposed to a
“rubber-stamp” National Assembly.
However, when the 8th
National Assembly finally concluded its tenure this year, there were more mixed
reviews on the outcome of its performance. To put things into more perspective
for criticism and verdict, a new research study on the assembly, conducted by
an independent body, Centre for Legislative Engagement (an initiative of YIAGA
AFRICA) was released last week; and the research has been making the rounds in
the media and civil society space. The comprehensive report basically laid bare
how the immediate past National Assembly performed
in its core mandates of Legislation, Representation and Oversight.
From the records available, this is the first and only comprehensive research
that has been able to analyse the performance of any Legislature since the
emergence of Nigeria’s democracy in 1999.
While the Saraki-Dogara
led National Assembly might have been judged by its toxic relationship with the
Executive in some quarters, this new research drew a verdict on the 8th
National assembly through the quality of legislations it passed in the span of
its time in office. In addition, the research also utilized key yardsticks such
as legislations, constituency representation, and oversight functions of the
legislature on the Executive and Judiciary. The study also utilized a very key measuring tool of assessment, which
has no doubt been relegated to the background in recent times—“constituency
activities and the implementation of projects by lawmakers”.
The research, led by the
former chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor
Attahiru Jega, credited the 8th NASS to have introduced 2,166 bills, while
passing 515 pieces of legislations—this in itself is a record in the history of
Nigeria’s democracy. Although many of the legislations are yet to be assented
to by the President, the 8th Assembly has nonetheless been hailed for this
feat.
It is also noteworthy
that although landmark bills like the age reduction bill—now popularly called
the Not Too Young To Run Act—was passed and assented to during the four-year
period, the age running limit for senatorial and Gubernatorial offices were
sustained for reasons best known to the leaders of the 8th assembly. This is no
doubt a major dent on a legislation that was so revolutionary and worthy of
praise, it was deemed historic and even spurred other African youths on, to
begin a similar ‘Not Too Young To Run’ political movement in their own country.
Furthermore, despite the
feat of the highest number of bills passed, the research study noted that poor
quality of bills resulted from a lack of legislative proficiency and
pre-legislative scrutiny. In addition, lawmakers remained notorious for
abandoning their constituents until another election circle comes around. It is
for this reason that the 8th NASS was rated poorly in terms of providing
quality representation especially with respect to core components of
representation such as visits and meetings with constituents, establishment and
management of constituency offices, responses to constituents’ demands,
attraction and execution of constituency projects, and communication with
constituents.
It is imperative that the
current National Assembly learns from its predecessors especially in the area
passing better bills with quality and impact. There is need for the 9th NASS to
entrench Pre-Legislative Scrutiny as a norm for all proposed legislations
(whether executive or private member bills) except in circumstances where the
legislation needs to be fast-tracked because of a national emergency or some
other exceptional urgency.
This way, legislative
proposals will be enriched because of consultations with practitioners, experts
and all other stakeholders, before they are introduced in the legislature. The
National Assembly as recommended should consider creating a Legislative
Standards Committee to oversee the pre-legislative scrutiny process. The
committee will serve as a gateway through which all bills would have to pass
for quality control to progress to first reading.
There is also a need for
the 9th National Assembly, and subsequent assemblies, to be more open and
transparent as regards relations with the Nigerian citizens. This, according to
the report, can be achieved through collaborations with citizen-groups to
develop a framework for the conduct of public hearings in the National
Assembly.
Importantly, the report
advised Legislators to establish functional constituency offices that are not
only accessible but also well-staffed and equipped. The NASS-leadership should
compel legislators to provide periodic reports on constituency engagement and
constituency office management. Legislators need to do more in terms of visits,
meetings and communication with their constituents. Legislators should also
take advantage of technology and social media to give an account of their
stewardship.
Moshood Isah
Media Officer YIAGA
AFRICA
Tweets @Moshoodpm
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