News
National Assembly members return to Abuja amid insecurity, weak Naira, other issues
Members of the National Assembly have returned to the Federal Capital Territory after a 30-day break. Nigeria is currently grappling with widespread insecurity, particularly in Plateau State, where renewed killings have occurred. Additionally, the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) poses external security concerns for the country.
On the economic front, the Naira is experiencing a bearish trend against major currencies, trading at N1,450 against the dollar. This currency instability, coupled with other factors, has contributed to high inflation. As the National Assembly convenes for its first plenary session of the year, Nigerians anticipate debates on these pressing issues.
Several issues await the attention of the National Assembly, including:
- Insecurity: Insecurity has been prominently featured in recent headlines, especially in Plateau State, where ethnoreligious violence has resurfaced, resulting in loss of lives and displacement. Despite previous efforts, legislative interventions have not significantly alleviated the security challenges faced by various constituencies.
- Economy: Persistent inflation is causing economic hardship, despite government promises of interventions such as the rollout of CNG buses, a N35,000 disbursement to civil servants, and other initiatives. Low oil production has prompted the Dangote Refinery to consider importing crude oil from the United States to meet production targets.
- State Police and Constitution Amendment: The National Assembly is set to prioritize security, constitution amendment, electoral reforms, and legislative oversight. The rising call for state police, fueled by increased insecurity, will likely be a focal point of discussion.
- Relocation of CBN Departments, FAAN to Lagos: Lawmakers are expected to address the relocation of certain Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) departments and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos. Concerns have been raised by the northern Senate caucus about the perceived lopsided allocation of funds in the 2024 budget and the potential consequences of such a move.
The National Assembly adjourned on December 30 after passing the 2024 budget during a special session.
The Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, MULAN, has declared that there are many defects and flaws in the current 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
MULAN National President, Dr Kazeem Olajide Olaniyan, made this declaration while addressing a press conference to herald the 15th annual general conference of the association on Thursday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Olaniyan stressed that Nigeria needs a homegrown Constitution that will address the current challenges facing the country.
According to him, the 1999 Constitution was drafted during the military rule and has many defects and flaws.
He noted that a homegrown will address the current problems the country is facing.
Olaniyan while speaking further, maintained that the theme of the conference, ‘National Development: The new dynamics and nuances’, was chosen so as to provide solutions to the country’s problems.
He also used the medium to appeal to the government to address the issue of fuel scarcity, food crisis and inflation in the country.
“Any Constitution Nigeria must have must be homegrown. What we have now was drafted by the military.
“There are so many defects and flaws in the 1999 constitution.
“Removal of subsidy of petroleum has effect on all of us coupled with inflation. We are now experiencing fuel scarcity.
“As we speak, if we are blaming the government, there are so many things we as people are also causing. We are also calling on the government to address the problem of food insecurity.”
Senator Ita Enang, former Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, attributed the failure of the Nigerian economy, the escalating debt burden, and the depreciation of the national currency, the naira, to the National Assembly. Enang made these remarks during the public unveiling of Oversight Magazine, a publication dedicated to covering parliamentary events, by former House of Representatives member Aniekan Umannah.
Enang asserted that the National Assembly’s inability to pose pertinent inquiries was accountable for the economic challenges. Having chaired both the House and Senate Committees on Rules and Business, Enang criticized the chambers for never releasing reports on their oversight duties as required, nor for questioning the nation’s debt.
He highlighted that while lawmakers frequently conduct oversight visits to scrutinize the activities of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, they neglect to present their findings for deliberation on the parliamentary floor. According to him, the executive’s suboptimal performance, at both state and national levels, can be attributed to the deficient oversight of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly nationwide.
Enang emphasized the importance of the oversight function, stating that it allows for monitoring the utilization of budget allocations, assessing project progress, and planning future budgets accordingly. He concluded that the failure of the Nigerian economy, the devaluation of the naira, and the excessive debt accumulation are ultimately the responsibility of the National Assembly.
Senator Ita Enang, former Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, attributed the failure of the Nigerian economy, the escalating debt burden, and the depreciation of the national currency, the naira, to the National Assembly. Enang made these remarks during the public unveiling of Oversight Magazine, a publication dedicated to covering parliamentary events, by former House of Representatives member Aniekan Umannah.
Enang asserted that the National Assembly’s inability to pose pertinent inquiries was accountable for the economic challenges. Having chaired both the House and Senate Committees on Rules and Business, Enang criticized the chambers for never releasing reports on their oversight duties as required, nor for questioning the nation’s debt.
He highlighted that while lawmakers frequently conduct oversight visits to scrutinize the activities of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, they neglect to present their findings for deliberation on the parliamentary floor. According to him, the executive’s suboptimal performance, at both state and national levels, can be attributed to the deficient oversight of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly nationwide.
Enang emphasized the importance of the oversight function, stating that it allows for monitoring the utilization of budget allocations, assessing project progress, and planning future budgets accordingly. He concluded that the failure of the Nigerian economy, the devaluation of the naira, and the excessive debt accumulation are ultimately the responsibility of the National Assembly.
Nigeria s 1999 Constitution full of flaws – Muslim lawyers association
Court adjourns trial in Nigerian Govt versus Ali Bello, others to May 27
NASS responsible for failure of Nigeria’s economy, rising debt – Ita Enang
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