The executive secretary, National Assembly Library, Henry Nwawuba, says the legislature has contributed to Nigeria’s democratic stability and governance through lawmaking and legislative interventions since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
Mr Nwawuba said in an interview on Monday in Abuja, while reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, that the country had sustained 26 years of uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999.
“You know that nation-building is a continuous process. Since our independence, for the first time in history, this is the first time Nigeria is running a back-to-back democracy, unbroken by any military intervention.
“From 1999 till today, 26 unbroken years of democracy,” he said.
Mr Nwawuba acknowledged that the legislature sometimes attracts public criticism but said Nigerians’ decision to stage protests at the National Assembly underscored its importance as the people’s representative institution.
“The truth is that the National Assembly is one arm of government. Some people say that the National Assembly is one of the most hated arms of government.
“But as you know, anytime Nigerians are unhappy with anything, where they go to demonstrate is the gates of the National Assembly. So they must be doing something right. It is the house of the people. It is a representative house,” he said.
He said laws enacted by the legislature should serve the people’s interests, adding that those that failed to achieve this objective should be reviewed, repealed or reenacted.
“What they do there is to make laws for the good governance of Nigerians. I personally believe that any law that does not serve the interest of the people is a bad law and should be reviewed, repealed or reenacted,” he said.
Citing the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), he recalled that the National Assembly had exercised its legislative powers after former President Olusegun Obasanjo declined to assent to the bill establishing the commission.
He said the intervention demonstrated the legislature’s role in advancing policies and institutions considered beneficial to the country.
“Has there been a benefit of having the NDDC in the Niger Delta? The answer is yes,” he said.
Mr Nwawuba acknowledged that no National Assembly is perfect but said the institution continues to work toward promoting good governance.
“Sometimes the National Assembly conflicts with the executive. If you remember when the National Assembly tried to pass the NDDC Act, and Obasanjo declined it. It was the National Assembly that vetoed that and brought that bill into law.
“You can ask, has there been a benefit of having the NDDC in the Niger Delta? The answer is yes. There is no perfect National Assembly anywhere in the world. But God is helping us.
“At least we try to look at the issues on a daily basis. In any system, there are good leaders, and there are bad leaders. Ours is to make sure that we have more of the good leaders so that Nigerians and the people can benefit,” he said.
Mr Nwawuba urged Nigerians to engage the National Assembly on issues they believed could advance national development and strengthen democracy.
(NAN)
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