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Former President of Goodluck Jonathan praised the National Assembly in the early and late 2000s, describing it as a dynamic institution that showed legislative independence by putting aside the President’s Veto and encouraging an impact.
Jonathan made a comment on Wednesday night during the Nigerian Content Awards dinner champion, organized by the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. The former president was honored by the Nigerian Contentime Achievement Award for his contribution to the progress of local content in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
Reflecting his time in the office, Jonathan recounted his rapid endorsement of the Nigerian oil and gas industry content development Bill in 2010 while serving as an acting president. The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Lee Maeba and the others, caused the establishment of NCDMB – Jonathan’s milestone which was associated with proactive and visionary legislatives.
“When the National Assembly brought the bill to me in 2010, I did not hesitate to sign it,” recalls Jonathan. “We moved quickly to establish a monitoring board. Senator Lee Maeba and his colleagues deserve praise for fighting for the law. That was the time when the National Assembly really fulfilled his name.”
Jonathan also appointed a previous example from 2000 to highlight the assertiveness of the Assembly: Ratification of the Delta Niger Development Commission (NDDC) Law, although there was an initial opposition from President Olusegun Obasanjo at that time.
“The NDDC Bill was vaphed by the President, but the National Assembly did not retreat,” Jonathan said. “They put aside Veto and passed the bill into a law with the majority of two-thirds. Such courage that shapes strong democracy.”
In a short citizenship lesson, Jonathan reminded the participants that while many countries emphasize the power of the President’s Veto, the Nigerian Constitution also empowered the National Assembly to put aside the Veto, if done through the majority votes of two thirds with the number of employees.
“That’s how NDDC’s actions emerged. That is not just a political maneuver, it is a reflection of the courage and legislative commitment,” he added.
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