No Hiding! House Of Reps Demands Regular Reports From President, Governors Every Six Months

No Hiding! House Of Reps Demands Regular Reports From President, Governors Every Six Months

In a move to enhance transparency and strengthen executive-legislative engagement, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review is considering an amendment to the 1999 Constitution. The proposed bill aims to mandate the President and state governors to address the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, respectively, every six months……..READ MORE 

The bill, co-sponsored by Hon. Mansur Soro (Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State) and Hon. Fatima Talba (Nangere/Potiskum Federal Constituency, Yobe State), seeks to introduce new subsections in Sections 67 and 108 of the Constitution.

The proposed amendment to Section 67(1) states:

“The President shall attend a joint session of the National Assembly at least every six months to deliver an address on national affairs, including fiscal and security measures, or make a statement on policies of national importance.”

Similarly, the amendment to Section 108 stipulates:

“The governor of a state shall attend a session of the House of Assembly at least every six months to deliver an address on state affairs, including security and fiscal measures, or make a statement on policies of significance to the state.”

Speaking with Punch, Hon. Soro emphasized that the bill aims to institutionalize periodic dialogue between the executive and legislative arms, fostering more inclusive governance.

“If passed into law, this bill will compel the President and National Assembly to meet at least twice a year to deliberate on critical national issues such as security, economy, and development,” he said.

He further highlighted that current engagements between the President and the legislature are largely limited to budget presentations, underscoring the need for more frequent interactions.

Soro also noted that extending this requirement to state governors would enhance direct engagement between state executives and lawmakers, ensuring greater accountability in governance.

When asked about the bill’s chances of gaining presidential approval, Soro expressed optimism.

“I am confident that President Bola Tinubu, given his background as a former federal legislator, will see this amendment as a crucial step toward strengthening governance institutions,” he stated.

The bill is expected to undergo a public hearing to gather stakeholder input before its final reading in the National Assembly.