The assembly has
broad oversight functions and is empowered to establish committees of its
members to scrutinize bills and the conduct of government officials. Since the
restoration of democratic rule in 1999, the Assembly has been said to be a
“learning process” that ha witnessed the election and removal of several
presidents of the Senate, allegations of corruption, slow passage of private
members bills and the creation of ineffective committees to satisfy numerous
interests.
In spite of a more than two –
thirds majority control of the Assembly by the ruling People’s Democratic Party
(PDP), the PDP government led by Alhaji
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the assembly have been known more for their disagreements than for their
cooperation. President Yar’Adua has been accused of being slow to implement policy. Many bills, some from as
long ago as 2007, are still awaiting the Presidents assent. While the Assembly has made strong and often
popular efforts to assert its authority and independence against the executive, it is still view generally in a
negative light by the media and many of the Nigerian people. The Assembly sits for a period of at most four
years, after which time the president is required to dissolve it and call a new Assembly into session.
The senate has
the unique power of impeachment of judges and other high officials of the
executive including the federal Auditor- General and the members of the
electoral and revenue commissions. This power is, however, subject to prior
request by the president. The senate also confirms the president’s nomination
of senior diplomats, members of the federal cabinet, federal judicial
appointments and independentfederal commissions.
Before any bill
may become law, it must be agreed to by both the House and the Senate, and
receive the presidents assent. Should the president delay or refuse assent
(Veto) the bill, the assembly may pass the law by two –thirds of both chambers
and overrule the veto and the president’s consent will not be required. the
present assembly has not hidden its preparedness to overrule the
executive where they disagree.