NewStats: 3,259,395 , 8,169,993 topics. Date: Saturday, 24 May 2025 at 08:55 PM 2a1j6r

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has reflected on a time when Nigeria boasted a vibrant National Assembly, capable of overriding presidential vetoes on important bills.

Jonathan made these remarks on Wednesday evening at the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards Dinner, organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Honoured with the Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award, Jonathan recalled his eagerness to sign the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Bill into law. He noted that the bill, sponsored by Senator Lee Maeba of Rivers State and others, was a product of a truly dynamic legislature.

“When I was acting President in 2010, and the National Assembly presented the bill, I promptly signed it and we quickly established a monitoring body. Someone like Lee Maeba, the bill’s originator, and his group also deserve recognition. That was a period when the National Assembly truly lived up to its name,” Jonathan said.

He further highlighted the Assembly’s assertiveness, recalling how it ed the Niger Delta Development Commission bill into law despite President Obasanjo’s reluctance to sign it.

“In 2000, the NDDC bill was also vetoed by the National Assembly. They overrode President Obasanjo’s refusal. Typically, in other countries, it is the President who vetoes bills.

“But in Nigeria, during the law-making process, it is the National Assembly that can exercise the veto. If the President does not assent to a bill within 30 days, the National Assembly can reconvene and, with a two-thirds majority calculated by headcount, not voice vote—enact the bill into law.

“That is how the NDDC Act came into being, thanks to a truly vibrant National Assembly.

“I would like to use this opportunity to commend Lee Maeba and his team,” Jonathan concluded.

https://punchng.com/jonathan-hails-past-national-assembly-for-standing-up-to-presidents/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKb1W1jbGNrApvVamV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEepyF0wFeyOTliwa_ZVtB5n7s6rkMmQeIHe40asetwtZRdbJGT3zY3ORJ92ko_aem_vLZ1N94tKWo05Z4RZb0rOQ

A firm and independent national assembly died the day Senator Bukola Saraki lost his re-election bid. Na rubber stamp we get now.

Today, what is in place is just of band of criminal-minded vestigial appendage legislative stooges of the executive.

What we have today is a National Assembly tied to Tinubu's apron strings, a rubber stamp, presided over by Senator Akpabio and Honourable Abass.

Senator Akpabio, in his attempt to defend the current National Assembly, said that senators were not elected by their constituents to fight the executive. Yet, one begins to wonder whether they are truly performing the task for which they were elected in the first place

Tinubu don rob masses of their common wealth and handed over the monies to the three executive, law makers and figurehead justice department.....nobody wants to oppose who's putting excess money in their pocket...

Suddenly... they have all crossed to APC..

It's sad..that naija will remain a crime scene..

Jonathan's time was good, but Tinubu's Assembly is doing better now, actions speak louder than words, and they’re really trying to fix the economy and help the people.

Jonathan a man that can't point to anything he did for the Niger Delta after spending 6 years in power. The newly built east west road eleme section will be open for traffic this month

See what's this sinister trying to justify.

According to Akpabio, they are not elected to fight the President

I won't be surprised to see them elect the next Senate President with a voice vote.

Jonathan and David Mark
Buhari and Lawan
Tinubu and Akpabio

The difference is clear...

We have gone from kettle to Frying pan to Pot.

Lol... That ship has sailed.

Now, they are more concerned about dragging a certain woman to court, while stamping everything Mr. President says.

SmartPolician:
A firm and independent national assembly died the day Senator Bukola Saraki lost his re-election bid. Na rubber stamp we get now.

All thanks to you obidients!
Anything you heads to doom. Ambode, Dino, Fubara, Natasha, Saraki and others knows this fact, no wonder Wike and Reno quickly used their brain before you use am for them

PAST OOOO NOT THESE PRESENT THIEVES

Ok

I never see DAVID MARK standing up to you for your complete 5 disastrous years!










Anyone who saw it should proof me wrong

Because the present one has failed to do so

Maxymilliano:
According to Akpabio, they are not elected to fight the President

Yes they are not elected to fight the president but can veto bill brought by rhe president.

So veto and fighting never same ok.

Unlike these morafokas

Unless Jonathan give examples of how David Mark stood up to him, we won't take him serious

SoftSport:
Jonathan's time was good, but Tinubu's Assembly is doing better now, actions speak louder than words, and they’re really trying to fix the economy and help the people.

Which Eleme?
The one I move through everyday?
Keep lying

UpperXM:
David Mark and Bukola Saraki deserves respect

David mark was an openly corrupt rubber stamp senate president while Saraki was only fighting Buhari for his own political survival 1nd not for the good of the people.

Yes nah

And have made Nigeria the richest country in subsaharan Africa..fulani-yoruba

SoftSport:
Jonathan's time was good, but Tinubu's Assembly is doing better now, actions speak louder than words, and they’re really trying to fix the economy and help the people.

Obakoolex:
Unless Jonathan give examples of how David Mark stood up to him, we won't take him serious

They know their audience. Tell them anything and they will believe as long as it is against Tinubu. GEJ had a rubber stamp joke as senate president during his tenure and now the failure is opening his mouth to spew trash like everyone has a short memory like the people he is trying to stir up.

All these hailing makes Jonathan thinks he is the best thing that happened to Nigeria.

The other day he was saying a building should be mounted in Abuja with the faces of those who destroyed Nigeria. If you count those who have spoilt this country, Jonathan won't miss top 5.

One of the best and meek presidents Nigeria ever had...

SmartPolician:
A firm and independent national assembly died the day Senator Bukola Saraki lost his re-election bid. Na rubber stamp we get now.

saraki was only seen tough because of his beef with buhari and tinubu....