Constitution amendments: What options left for National Assembly?

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s refusal to assent to the bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution has exposed the underbelly of a frosty relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government. 

Coming at the twilight of current administration’s tenure and on the heels of the general elections in which the ruling party  was roundly routed by the opposition, many, including members of the National Assembly were taken aback by the President’s action. 

Until last week when Jonathan wrote a lengthy letter to the lawmakers informing them of  his decision to withhold  his assent to the Fourth Alteration Act 2015, there were speculations in the media that the document had been signed.

What appears as last minute presidential muscle flexing is also being interpreted as a constitutional crisis in some quarters.

In the letter which was partly read to Senators by the Senate President, David Mark, Jonathan alleged legislators’ usurpation of the executive power and whittling down of certain power inherent in the President’s office as part of the reasons for withholding his assent.

Withholding of assent

In the letter titled: “Re: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Fourth Alteration Act 2015” Jonathan stated, : “May I draw Your Excellency’s esteemed attention to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act, 2015 that has been passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to me for assent.

“I have accordingly examined the substance of the provisions and the procedure adopted by the National Assembly to pass the Act and wish to observe as follows:

“Section 4 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 seeks to alter Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution by the insertion of a new subsection 3A, which dispenses with the assent of the President in the process of constitutional amendment.

“However, this alteration can only be valid if the proposal was supported by the votes of not less than four-fifth majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly and approved by a resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the States as provided by Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.

“This is a fundamental requirement of the Constitution and in the absence of credible evidence that this requirement was met in the Votes of Proceedings of the National Assembly, it will be unconstitutional for me to assent to this Bill.

“In light of the above, I am of the respectful view that I should withhold assent until it can be shown that the National Assembly has complied with the threshold specified in Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.

“However, assuming without conceding that the necessary thresholds were met by the National Assembly, there are a number of provisions in the Act that altogether constitute flagrant violation of the doctrine of separation of powers enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and an unjustified whittling down of the executive powers of the federation vested in the President by virtue of Section 5(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

The said Section 45A of the Fourth Alteration Act 2015, which guarantees the right to free basic education is too open ended and should have been restricted to government schools.

He added: “This is because, a right unless qualified or restricted must be observed by all. It follows therefore that the right to free basic education under this provision if taken to its logical conclusion, will invariably apply to private schools, which could not have been the intendment of the legislature.

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This same argument applies to Section 45B, which guarantees unqualified right to free primary and maternal care services. The implication of this is that private institutions will be obliged under Constitution to offer free medical services since it is a right and this is not only impracticable, but also could not have been the intention of the law giver.

“ There is therefore the need for these provisions to be redrafted to restrict the enjoyment of these rights and place the obligation to provide the conditions necessary for the enjoyment of the rights on the government.”

Jonathan also queried the limitation of the power of the President to withhold assent to bills to 30 days.

He said 30 days might not be sufficient for a President to go through such bills.

He said: “The power vested in the President to withhold his assent to Bills passed by the National Assembly is part of the checks and balances contained in the Constitution. “Withholding of assent therefore constitutes a check on the exercise of legislative powers in a constitutional democracy especially as the Executive Branch has the responsibility of enforcing laws passed by the National Assembly.

Sufficient input

However, some of the Acts of the National Assembly emanate from Private Members’ Bills, which in many cases, the Executive may not have had sufficient input.

“ It is also instructive to note that in some cases, more than one Bill is transmitted to the President for assent and that the President requires the advice of relevant agencies of government before he can assent to the Bill.

“Against this background, the 30 days allowed for assent of the President may not be adequate in some cases for the President to make a decision as to whether or not to assent.”

The President disagreed with the lawmakers for restricting the President’s right to spend funds in default of appropriation to three months instead of six months.

He said the amendment by the lawmakers does not take into cognizance unforeseen circumstances the nation might go through any time.

He added: “This alteration seeks to limit the period when expenditure can be authorized in default of appropriation from the 6 months provided in the Constitution to 3 months.

“I am of the view that this provision has the potential of occasioning financial hardships and unintended shutdown of government business  particularly where four unforeseen reasons and exigencies in the polity, the National Assembly is unable to pass the Appropriation Act  do not justify the reduction of the six-month time limit in the Constitution. I am of the respectful view that the current position should have been maintained.”

Funding requirement

He blamed the National Assembly for recommending that the National Economic Council(NEC) should henceforth appoint the Accountant-General of the Federation.

He said: “The provision of section 84A that creates the new Office of Account-General of the Federation distinct from Accountant- General of the Federal Government has not addressed the funding requirement for the establishment of the office.

“It is necessary to clarify for instance, who staffs and funds the office of Accountant General of the Federation and from whose budget he will be paid since he serve the three tiers of Government.

“ It is also important to state who will exercise oversight powers over the office. Furthermore, the National Economic Council, which is mainly an advisory body, is now charged with the responsibility of recommending those to be appointed to the Office of Accountant General of the Federation.”

Jonathan described the amendment on the separation the Office of Attorney General of the Federation from the Minister of Justice as ambiguous.

He said: “These alterations encapsulate wide-ranging provision that seek to separate the Office of Attorney General of the Federation from the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General from the Commissioner for Justice in the respective States of the federation. They also provide for the independence of the Office of Attorney General by guaranteeing tenure and funding.

“However, as desirable as the separation is, there are some provisions that validate the doctrine of separation of powers and also negate the age-long independence and absolute discretion that the office has enjoyed for centuries since it creation in middles ages. The potential challenging provisions are discussed below:

“The first noticeable set back is that the Fourth Alteration Act 2015 is silent on who is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation/State. This is serious lacuna, which may create implementation challenges.

“It will be recalled that the Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice and the Attorney General and Commissioners for Justice in the respective States of the federation are under sections 150 and 195 of the 1999 Constitution, as the Chief Law Officers respectively.

“Apparently, it is the fact that the AGF is the Chief Law Officer has the power to guide the MDAs on legal issues by way of legal advice and represent the Government on other legal matters including civil litigations, contract, treaty obligations, legal drafting, etc., is derived.

Legal drafting

“With this amendment, which limits the power of the AGF to criminal prosecution and silent on whom who is the Chief Law Officer, it appears to erode the constitutional and legal basis for the current structure and functions of the Ministry of Justice and the Law Officers employed therein, in the absence of a Statute that provides for the exercise of these powers and functions.

Consequently, if it is the intendment of the National Assembly to make the Minister of Justice, the Chief Law Officer, it should be expressly stated. This will enable these functions to continue to be traditionally performed by the Ministry under the supervision of the Minister of Justice while the Office  of the AGF, which is to be independent and separated from the Ministry, concentrate on prosecutions.”

Watchers of power-play between the presidency and the National Assembly wonder why the former had suddenly realised that its power are being taken away by the latter at this eleventh hour when there was ample time to do so during the constitution amendment process. Specifically, some observers wonder why President Jonathan failed to point out the sections he objects to during harmonisation period of the exercise since he has an unhindered access to the leadership of the National Assembly. However, it was gathered that part of the under-current that informed the President’s action are some powerful forces in the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who are said to be uncomfortable with the provision that separates the office of the AGF and Justice Minister.

Veritable challenge

However, beyond this is the bigger constitutional issue. Since the Fourth Alteration Act does not contemplate the President withholding his assent, Jonathan’s action has constituted a veritable challenge to the lawmakers.

There are however three options before them. The first is to address the issues which the President raised. This will involve returning the bill to the state houses of assembly. Considering the time, energy and resources already gulped, it is like starting afresh. With barely a month and few days to hand-over date, there is certainly no time for that. The second option is to leave the entire process to the incoming national assembly. Doing so may render the whole exercise a nugatory as it may be put aside.

The outgoing lawmakers would obviously not want their efforts wasted. Perhaps, to avoid any of the two options above, the way to go is to override the President’s veto as provided in Section 58 Sub-section (4) of the Constitution.

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s refusal to assent to the bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution has exposed the underbelly of a frosty relationship  between the executive and the legislative arms of government.
Coming at the twilight of current administration’s tenure and on the heels of the general elections in which the ruling party  was roundly routed by the opposition, many, including members of the National Assembly were taken aback by the President’s action.
Until last week when Jonathan wrote a lengthy letter to the lawmakers informing them of  his decision to withhold  his assent to the Fourth Alteration Act 2015, there were speculations in the media that the document had been signed.
What appears as last minute presidential muscle flexing is also being interpreted as a constitutional crisis in some quarters.
In the letter which was partly read to Senators by the Senate President, David Mark, Jonathan alleged legislators’ usurpation of the executive power and whittling down of certain power inherent in the President’s office as part of the reasons for withholding his assent.
Withholding of assent
In the letter titled: “Re: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Fourth Alteration Act 2015” Jonathan stated, : “May I draw Your Excellency’s esteemed attention to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act, 2015 that has been passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to me for assent.
“I have accordingly examined the substance of the provisions and the procedure adopted by the National Assembly to pass the Act and wish to observe as follows:
“Section 4 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 seeks to alter Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution by the insertion of a new subsection 3A, which dispenses with the assent of the President in the process of constitutional amendment.
“However, this alteration can only be valid if the proposal was supported by the votes of not less than four-fifth majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly and approved by a resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the States as provided by Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.
“This is a fundamental requirement of the Constitution and in the absence of credible evidence that this requirement was met in the Votes of Proceedings of the National Assembly, it will be unconstitutional for me to assent to this Bill.
“In light of the above, I am of the respectful view that I should withhold assent until it can be shown that the National Assembly has complied with the threshold specified in Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.
“However, assuming without conceding that the necessary thresholds were met by the National Assembly, there are a number of provisions in the Act that altogether constitute flagrant violation of the doctrine of separation of powers enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and an unjustified whittling down of the executive powers of the federation vested in the President by virtue of Section 5(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The said Section 45A of the Fourth Alteration Act 2015, which guarantees the right to free basic education is too open ended and should have been restricted to government schools.
He added: “This is because, a right unless qualified or restricted must be observed by all. It follows therefore that the right to free basic education under this provision if taken to its logical conclusion, will invariably apply to private schools, which could not have been the intendment of the legislature.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/constitution-amendments-what-options-left-for-national-assembly/#sthash.UwsD1yDs.dpuf