By Kolawole Ojebisi
It appears the legislature, particularly the green chamber, is not favourably disposed to the rare appearance of the president and states’ helmsmen at the legislative floor.
In a bid to change this affair, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review is considering a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to mandate the President and state governors to address the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, respectively, every six months.
The proposed legislation, according to them, aims to institutionalise the State of the Nation and State of the State addresses, ensuring regular engagement between the executive and legislature to enhance governance and service delivery.
Co-sponsored by Mansur Soro (Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State) and Fatima Talba (Nangere/Potiskum Federal Constituency, Yobe State), the bill proposes new subsections in Sections 67 and 108 of the Constitution.
The amendment to Section 67 (1) states:“The President shall attend a joint meeting of the National Assembly at least every six months to deliver an address on national affairs, including fiscal and security measures, or to make a statement on the government’s policy considered to be of national importance.”
Similarly, a new subsection in Section 108 reads:“The governor of a state shall attend a meeting of the House of Assembly at least every six months to deliver an address on state affairs, including security and fiscal measures, or to make a statement on the government’s policy considered to be of importance to the state.”
Emphasizing the significance of the bill, Soro said it would foster greater collaboration between the executive and legislature, ensuring more effective governance.
The lawmaker revealed this during an interview with Punch Newspaper on Sunday evening.
“If passed into law, this bill will make it compulsory for the President and the National Assembly to meet at least twice a year to deliberate on critical issues affecting the country’s growth, security, and development.
“Currently, the National Assembly only meets with the President during budget presentations. However, more frequent engagements are necessary to tackle governance challenges and security concerns proactively.”
Soro noted that the same principle applies to state governors and their legislatures, stressing the need for direct discussions on policies, reforms, and the needs of the people.
When asked about the likelihood of the bill receiving presidential assent, Soro expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu, a former federal lawmaker, would sign it into law.
“I expect the President to sign this bill as part of his legacy in strengthening governance institutions. The role of the legislature is to pass laws, and the President is to sign them. In cases where assent is declined, the law allows for a veto override, but I do not foresee such resistance in this case.”
The bill is scheduled for a public hearing to gather input from stakeholders before proceeding to a third and final reading in the National Assembly.
