The 10th House of Representatives under the leadership of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas clocked one year on June 13. PHILIP NYAM writes on the performance of the Green Chamber in its first year
The first session of the 10th National Assembly in the Fourth Republic will come to a close on 13th June 2024. Both chambers of the national parliament have been up and doing, recording some achievements in some areas and failing in some as well.
The 360 lawmakers have through their activities earned accolades as well as attracted criticisms and condemnation in some circles from a cross-section of Nigerians. Of course, the primary functions of the legislature are lawmaking, representation and oversight. The question is: How did the 10th House fare in the last 366 days?
The beginning
The 10th House of Representation was inaugurated on June 13, 2023, following the election of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (APC, Kaduna) as speaker and Hon. Benjamin Kalu as deputy speaker.
It was one of the most hotly contested elections in the last 25 years of the Fourth Republic. Abbas polled 359 votes to beat the immediate past deputy speaker, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase (APC, Plateau) and Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji who both scored three votes each. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu (APC, Imo), however, emerged unopposed.
Lawmaking
Lawmaking serves as the mechanism through which legislatures translate citizens’ views, opinions, and preferences into policies or laws. It is a key instrument through which the House fulfills its commitments outlined in the legislative agenda. The National Assembly’s lawmaking authority is granted by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Through its lawmaking powers, the National Assembly can tackle the country’s emerging political and socio-economic challenges. It is therefore imperative to evaluate the legislative activities undertaken in the first session of the 10th House of Representatives within the framework of its legislative agenda.
Bills
An analysis of the bills processed in the first session of the 10th House shows that the lawmakers performed well in terms of the number and quality of bills presented, considered, passed, and assented to.
As of May 7, 1,188 bills were presented on the floor of the House of Representatives, the highest number of bills presented in the First Session of the House of Representatives since 1999.
Out of this number, 1,188, representing 100 per cent of the bills were read the first time, while 243 (representing 20.1 per cent of the Bills presented) were read the second time.
Also, 238, representing 20.0 per cent of the Bills presented, were referred to standing committees and Committees of the Whole for further legislative intervention in line with Order 12, Number 6 of the House Standing Order (as amended). More so, of the total number of Bills presented, 12 (1.0 per cent) were executive bills, while 1, 176 (99.0 per cent) were members’ bills.
Apart from the 7th House, which passed 89 bills in its first session, the 10th House has performed better than the previous House of Representatives in passing 82 (7.0 per cent) of the bills presented as of May 7. Out of the bills passed, 9 (11.0 per cent) were executive bills, while 72 (88.0 per cent) were member Bills.
Importantly, the lawmakers presented a preponderance of bills, while the executive bills, though comparatively lower in number, were given speedy passage.
Citizen inclusion
In its desire to make inclusive legislation by providing opportunities for citizens’ engagement and participation in the lawmaking process, the House organised several stakeholders’ fora to harvest the perspectives of citizens, including National Dialogue on State Policing, National Discourse on Nigerian Security challenges and good governance at the local government level, two-day retreat for members of the House of Representatives on the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Reform Act (PIA) 2021 and tax reform modernisation, stakeholders dialogue to harness citizens input to the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House; citizens town hall on electoral reforms; citizens town hall on the 2024 Appropriation Bill.
Comparing the performance of the 10th House with previous assemblies, it could be noticed that there was a steady increase in the number of bills received across the first sessions of the House from 1999 to 2024, with the exception of the 2003–2004 legislative year.
In the 2023–2024 legislative year, there was a significant rise in the number of bills received, totalling 1,188, compared to 14 in 1999–2000, 270 in 2011–2012, 685 in 2015–2016, and 853 in 2019–2020. This makes the 2023–2024 legislative year the highest in terms of bills received in any first session since 1999, indicating high legislative activity among members of the 10th House of Representatives.
Regarding the number of bills passed, apart from the 2015–2019 legislative year, which saw 89 bills passed, the 2023–2024 session recorded the highest number with 82 bills passed. This highlights the increased legislative productivity of the current House compared to previous sessions.
Examining critical sectors, the 10th House considered and passed bills across the eight priority areas outlined in its legislative agenda. Some important bills passed during the First Session and assented to by President Bola Tinubu include: Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment)
Bill, 2023; Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (Establishment) Bill, 2023; Federal Audit Service Bill, 2023; Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill, 2023; Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023; National Assembly Library Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024; Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2024; Judicial Office Holders Bill, 2024; Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024; and Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2023.
Other notable bills passed include: Mandatory Inclusion of Teachings on Breast and Cervical Cancers into the Curriculum of All Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria Bill, 2023; Mandatory Inclusion of Preventive Measures and Teachings on Sexual Gender-Based Violence into the Curriculum of All Levels of Secondary Schools in Nigeria Bill, 2023; Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023; National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) (Establishment) Bill, 2023; South-East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023; National Research and Innovation Council (Establishment) Bill, 2023; Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
These legislative actions reflect the House’s commitment to addressing diverse and critical areas within its agenda. A critical review of the bills passed during the first session of the 10th House revealed a strong focus on social sector reform and development, with 37 bills passed. This was followed by the passing of 13 bills, each related to good governance and economic growth and development.
However, only two bills were passed concerning inclusion and an open parliament. Unfortunately, no bill was passed addressing climate change, environmental sustainability, or influencing Nigerian foreign policy. This is indeed a big oversight on the part of the lawmakers and many analysts are of the view that the House needs to take this as a priority in the second session.
Motions and resolutions
The performance report of the House in its first session showcases a comprehensive and proactive approach to addressing pressing matters affecting the nation. The House received 679 motions, out of these, 7 were negatived, 22 were referred to ad-hoc committees and 651 were referred to standing committees. Importantly, the House resolved over 500 motions. These motions have served as a crucial channel for bringing pressing matters affecting the people to the forefront of both the House’s attention and the nation’s awareness.
Oversight
The significance of legislative oversight in ensuring compliance with legislation and the effective implementation of government policies cannot be overstated. Upon its inauguration, the House took crucial decisions to reposition and enhance this vital aspect of its functions.
Speaker Abbas emphasised that while the House aimed to build upon the achievements of previous sessions, the 10th House intended to redefine the modus operandi of legislative business. One of the key initiatives was to strengthen committees to conduct oversight of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) effectively through consistent funding, provision of necessary resources, and capacity building.
Consequently, oversight duties, including investigative hearings, were mandated to be concluded with reports and recommendations presented before the entire House for appropriate legislative actions. The revised Standing Orders of the House stipulated that committees must submit quarterly reports to the leadership, and a Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of the House was established.
By enhancing the capacity and resources available to committees, the House aims to strengthen its supervisory role over government agencies and departments, thereby contributing to improved public service delivery and adherence to legislative mandates. The establishment of a Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of House Committees further demonstrated the House’s dedication to enhancing its oversight mechanisms.
This committee is positioned to provide an additional layer of scrutiny by evaluating the performance of other committees in carrying out their oversight responsibilities. Through these measures, the House seeks to foster a culture of diligence and effectiveness in its oversight functions, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and responsive government.
The National Assembly as with legislative institutions across the globe carries out its oversight functions through committees, often aligning them with corresponding government ministries and departments. In this regard, the House following a criterion of ensuring professionalism constituted 120 Standing Committees, 20 Statutory Committees and 70 Parliamentary Friendship Groups. These are in addition to 30 Ad-hoc Committees earlier established before the constitution of standing committees.
Sectoral briefs, debates
Following its Standing Orders and Legislative Agenda, the House of Representatives initiated sectoral debates and briefings to engage with heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). These sessions provided an opportunity for lawmakers to interact with MDAs and gain a deeper understanding of the specific challenges faced by each sector.
This understanding is essential for the development of targeted legislative interventions aimed at effectively addressing these challenges. Furthermore, these engagements contribute to promoting transparency and accountability within the government. Given the paramount importance of national security, the inaugural Sectoral Debate focused on discussions with the service chiefs and heads of security agencies.
The professional insights and information provided by these officials will be invaluable in shaping targeted legislation, as well as enhancing the effectiveness of budget allocation and oversight. The sectoral briefs and debates are expected to be held regularly throughout the lifespan of the House and would be extended to all sectors.
Legislative/Executive relation
The 10th House has maintained a harmonious working relationship with the Executive. This commitment is rooted in the understanding that a relationship based on mutual respect and recognition of each arm’s distinct constitutional mandates is crucial for the efficient functioning of governance, political stability, effective legislation, and the overall health of Nigeria’s democratic system.
By upholding this principle, both branches of government have in the last year worked in synergy to advance the interests of Nigeria and its constituents. The harmonious relationship between the 10th House of Representatives and the Executive has fostered an environment where checks and balances are upheld without compromising the overall governance process.
This commitment to collaboration and mutual respect also contributes to political stability by minimizing conflicts between the legislative and executive branches. When both arms of government work together professionally, it reduces the likelihood of gridlock or institutional friction that could impede progress on critical matters affecting Nigeria.
Additionally, such a relationship promotes transparency, accountability, and good governance practices, which are vital for sustaining a healthy democratic system. But many Nigerians still believe that the House is not doing enough in its oversight of the executive. The appellation rubber-stamped legislature still lingers in the air.
Although the House has made some appreciable achievements, it needs to eliminate the rubberstamped description. Perhaps, it needs to raise the ante of pro-people bills and decisions that border on the welfare of the people.
The lawmakers have three more years to prove themselves and earn the confidence of their constituents. The people expect them to tackle the Executive, especially on some its economic policies subsidy removal, increased tariff and taxes, etc. If they improve on their one-year performance, the remaining years could turn out to be better.