The
Federal House of Representatives is one of the two Chambers that make up the
Bicameral Legislature of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is made up of 360 Members representing
each of the Federal Constituencies of the country. Members of the Green Chamber, as it is
popularly referred to are duly elected for a term of four years.
It
is presided over by the Speaker, who is assisted by the Deputy Speaker and
eight Principal Officers. They include
Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Deputy Minority
Leader, Chief Whip, Deputy Chief Whip, Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip.
Since
the Green Chamber equally operates the Committee System of Legislature, the 360
Members of the house are divided into several Special and Standing Committees
based on their professional, educational and other experiences. The Committees are chaired by Chairmen who
are assisted by Vice Chairmen and other Committee Members. The Committees conduct Legislative
assignments on behalf of the Chamber and report their findings along with
recommendations to the entire house for final decision.
Aside
the discharge of its core mandate of lawmaking, representation and oversight,
the House of Representatives has been a stabilizing force in the promotion of
the nation’s democratic ideals, good governance and most importantly the
resolution of industrial disputes between the Federal, State Governments and
the Labour Unions.
Accordingly,
the house has waded into the disputes between the Judicial Staff Union of
Nigeria (JUSUN), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and a host of
other professional Unions under the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).