Former President Goodluck Jonathan has praised the courage and independence of Nigeria’s past lawmakers, describing the National Assembly of earlier years as bold and vibrant. He said they were not afraid to stand up to the executive branch, even overriding presidential vetoes to pass important legislation. Jonathan made these comments during the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards Dinner hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where he received the Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award.
While speaking at the event, Goodluck Jonathan praised the National Assembly for its role in passing the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Bill in 2010. As acting President at the time, Jonathan said he was eager to sign the bill into law, which had been championed by Senator Lee Maeba of Rivers State and others. He commended the lawmakers for their commitment and noted that it was a time when the legislature truly fulfilled its responsibilities.
“That was a period when the National Assembly truly lived up to its name,” Jonathan said, adding that the swift passage and implementation of the bill showed how effective governance can be when the legislature works with purpose.
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Jonathan also reflected on the passage of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act in 2000. He recounted how the National Assembly at that time boldly overruled President Obasanjo’s refusal to sign the bill. “In 2000, the NDDC bill was also vetoed by the National Assembly. They overrode President Obasanjo’s refusal,” he said.
He explained that under Nigerian law, if a President refuses to sign a bill within 30 days, the National Assembly has the power to reconvene and pass the bill into law using a two-thirds majority vote. This, he noted, was how the NDDC Act came into force, thanks to what he described as “a truly vibrant National Assembly.”
Goodluck Jonathan praises National Assembly leaders like Senator Lee Maeba and his team for their dedication, saying their courage and legislative strength were essential to driving national development.
Jonathan’s remarks come at a time when many Nigerians are calling for stronger legislative oversight and accountability in the country’s democratic process. His speech served as both a tribute to past lawmakers and a reminder of the powerful role the legislature can play in nation-building.
As the country looks ahead to future elections and reforms, Goodluck Jonathan’s praise of the National Assembly highlights the need for legislative bodies that act boldly and independently in the interest of the people.
