The
Parliament in Nigeria right from inception had robust and historic developments
which dates back to the Colonial and Post-Colonial Independence. However,
emphasis would be accorded to the huge Legislative Chronicle of the Fourth
Republic Parliament till date.
With
the return of democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria has had six consecutive
legislatures spanning a period of 24 years.
The country operates a Bi-cameral legislature; made up of two
Independent Chambers; the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The
Senate, referred to as the Red Chamber, comprise of 109 Senators representing
three Senatorial Districts of each of the 36 States of the Federation. Membership of the Chamber is based on equal
representation. It is led by the Senate
President and his Deputy (President of the Senate and Deputy President of the
Senate) as well as eight Principal Officers namely Senate Leader and his
Deputy, Minority Leader and his Deputy, Chief Whip and his Deputy as well as
Minority Whip and his Deputy.
While
the House of Representatives also known as the Green Chamber is made up of 360
Federal Representatives. Each Member
represents one Federal Constituency of Nigeria. The number of Constituencies
per State varies since population strength is the criterial used to determine
the number of each State's Federal Constituencies.
The
Green Chamber is led by the Speaker and assisted by the Deputy Speaker along
with eight Principal Officers that include Majority Leader, Deputy Majority
Leader, Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Chief Whip, Deputy Chief Whip,
Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip.
The
National Assembly is constitutionally vested with several functions. Prominent among them are lawmaking,
representation, oversight and a host of others.
Most activities of the National Assembly are done through the
Committees. The Committees are populated
by Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of both Chambers based on
professionalism and vast experiences in life.
These experiences prepare them to be able to scrutinize Bills, Motions,
and other Legislative proposals. The
Legislators also intervene in the conduct of public institutions and officials.
Accordingly, the apex Parliament operates the Committee system. Both chambers of the nation's highest law-making body appoint members into its Special and Standing Committees. The committees have the role of studying and researching Bills, Motions and other Legislative proposals referred to it and report its findings to the Whole Chamber.
