By Ikenna Uwadileke and Abiemwense Moru
As Nigerians continue to reflect on the state of the nation after 54 years of independence, observers say that the role of the legislature remains critical in efforts to deliver good governance to the people.
They are, however, of the view that the legislature has striven since the onset of democratic governance in Nigeria to evolve an enduring legislative culture.
Some analysts, nonetheless, insist that the frequent changes in the membership of the legislature via elections and the ignorance of legislative proceedings, which newly-elected members often display, have constituted some drawbacks.
Besides, inexperience, leadership tussles and frequent changes in the leadership of the legislative houses are some other factors which have slowed down the fulfilment of the legislative culture, they add.
Without doubt, the passage of bills by the legislative houses has not been an easy task and analysts note that the large number of bills still pending before the two chambers of the National Assembly attests to that presupposition.
They, nonetheless, note that the National Assembly has made giant strides in the passage of some laws that are meant to promote good governance, in line with the principles of constitutional democracy.
Such laws include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act, the Independent Corruption and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act, the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and more recently, the Evidence Act.
Nevertheless, the analysts insist that financial recklessness and sometimes, the lack of decorum in the way legislative activities are conducted, have somewhat dented the image of the legislature.
They, therefore, add that such developments tend to make many people to wonder whether or not the legislature is promoting efforts to engender and strengthen good governance.
Indeed, there have been allegations of financial impropriety levelled on the house leadership, while the lawmakers at times resorted to exhibiting unruly behaviour while resolving some contentious issues.
However, Sen. Nkechi Nwogu (Abia-PDP), said that such an era in the history of the country’s legislature, which he described as the era of “Banana Republic’’, was fading away.
“This goes to show that the legislature at the national level is developing, growing and maturing properly,’’ she said.
Nwogu said that the National Assembly now enjoyed stability, continuity and sustainable legislative processes.
“The only concern that I have is the alarming and worrisome rate of legislative turnover,’’ she added.
The senator pointed out that the unfortunate development had somewhat stunted the growth of the nation’s legislature.
“It will be splendid if Nigerians can realise that legislators are like the red wine: the older the better.
“In most developed nations, people do not practise the turn-by-turn membership syndrome because it stunts the growth of the legislature.
“What happens is that when new sets of legislators come in, it takes them close to four years to begin to learn the ways things are done.
“It is usually costly training and retraining new lawmakers at the expense of legislative growth. This is very unfortunate and I do hope that Nigerians can find better ways of doing things other than this trend — obsession for seats in the legislature.
“However, if somebody is found to be incompetent or incompatible with legislative tenets, then he or she can be changed. But if somebody is found to be good and purposeful; then, the person should be allowed to continue,’’ she said.
On the citizens’ calls for the speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Nwogu said that efforts were underway to pass the bill.
She described PIB as a complex bill with 16 pieces of other legislations
“We are taking out the obsolete and duplicated aspects and we are putting in all the things that are required in the making of a 21st Century petroleum industry bill.
“It is a bill that will stand the test of time. It is a bill that will compare with the laws of other countries that are also endowed with oil and gas.
“Before the end of the current session, I know that we will pass the PIB,’’ she said.
All the same, Nwogu expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalising and restoring the lost glory of Nigeria.
“We are having challenges in the power sector as a result of the non-maintenance of our electricity equipment and facilities over the years.