The Nigerian National Assembly resumes this week after nearly five weeks break. Law makers had adjourned sitting last December in the euphoria of successful passage of the 2020 National Budget- the first time the budget would be passed ahead of its commencement year. As the National Assembly resumes sitting, expectations are high that it will immediately put focus into taking on key pending Bills, including the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, the Petroleum Industry Bill, Police Reform Bill, Companies and Allied Matters Act (Amendment) Bill, etc.
On the Petroleum Industry Bill, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva has in recent weeks talked about ensuring its passage before June, 2020. This would seem ambitious, yet desirable as the Bill has spent the last 12 years in legislative process without seeing light of the day. Another key Bill of interest to Nigerians is the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. President Buhari had in a meeting with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security chiefs in January, committed to leaving a legacy of electoral reform. It is to be noted that the 8th National Assembly had passed amendments to the Electoral Act, which the President denied assent to, on the grounds that the amendments were coming too close to the elections. Nigerians expect that the President and leadership of the National Assembly will show concrete commitment to improving the electoral process by an early passage of amendments to the Electoral Act. An early conclusion to reforms to the electoral system and law will enable INEC begin the process of implementation and improvement of election laws.
Nigerians will also be watching the National Assembly’s resumption with bathed breath on what it does with the much criticised Social Media Bill and Hate Speech Bill. No doubt, Civil Society groups and citizens will mobilise to confront the National Assembly should it proceed to consider the Bills. Additional key Bills that will come into focus include: the Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Abu Kyari sponsored Electoral Offences Commission Bill, the Senator Haliru Jika sponsored Police Bill and the Companies and Allied Matters Act (Amendment) Bill being sponsored by the Executive.