The Nigeria National Assembly as stipulated by law is one of the three Arms of government that enables check and balance in her democratic setting. It's function is to make laws that would guide the national interest for peaceful coexistence and general development. It's other function is an over-sight of the other Arms or what many would call 'the watch-dog' especially to the executive Arm. The National Assembly is made of the upper house which is the senate and the lower house - the representatives.. In the states there is only one house - state house of assembly

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
independent federal
commissions..

Why it is necessary to understand this important arm of government as I take you through my argument. Would become evident as we progress.
Nigeria as a country has been bedeviled by an abysmal level of under development which is in a way related to under functionality of the national assembly.

1: the total disregard for the need and responsibility of making progressive laws that would encourage development. Structurally and in human capacity.
2:failure in the part of the executive arms to involve the house in its programs.
3: disregarding its role of over-sight therefore encouraging excesses in the executive and under-performance in the judiciary.

Practical Solution:
Recently the Enugu state house of assembly threw away a bill that would encourage or rather entrench the rights of each gender in the state eliminating the opportunities that have been exploited in the slavery and abuse of the weaker gender. It is however, Ironic that the tenets of democracy which is a form of governance established to guarantee the rights of every individual as it has done to the said senators empowering them in a fair setting to say their minds without fear even when they are not the most influential in terms of the capacity to command respect but from the privilege bestowed on them by the benevolence of democracy would find it trivial that the rights of others are impeded on. Using their position of merit to hinder others from benefiting the same opportunity of equality for the primitive sentimentality that we are Africans - The last time I checked, democracy is not a product African culture. It makes one wonder if as humans we are cursed to eternal selfishness and personal aggrandizement unless forcefully instituted otherwise. Well this and many more selfish agenda had been the bane of the Nigeria National assembles.

This brings to mind the lingering petroleum industry bill. Haven spent more than a decade in hallowed chambers going forth and back because from all indications, it would offend the entrenched system of selfishness and greed among the elites. The few privileged who as beneficiaries of a fair system are bent in denying others the access of the same entitlement.


We have watched in despondency how the National Assembly has indeed rubbished it's reputation by involving itself with banal and the most inconsequential matters as concern National development. We have witnessed with dismay The supposed 'HONOURABLE' members debate at what age can 'CHILD' be harvested sexually and for marital purposes and if that is not enough, the sexually concerned assembly members becomes conscious of other peoples sexuality making a ridiculous form of punishment for those who decided to take their sexuality away from the mainstream of sexual preferences, even though one might agree that some these issues are sensitive social issues but. There is little or no connection with these issues that the house has made a priority to the much need laws that would have made a positive addition to the quality of life of Nigerians especially where there is a screaming problem - almost deafening one of corruption and poverty that has threatened the very existence of this great country..


It is surprising to note the level of smoke screen covering the sensitivity of our protectors of dignity, and the givers of hope in the form of laws feigning ignorance as to what is necessary. In a country where stealing is not corruption because the house members found it very boring to define the terms for the those who understand the language of the law and might want to abide by its dictate.


The yawning loopholes in our definition of terms has been the strength of our saboteurs who had taken advantage of this deficiency to exploit our common wealth and get away with it. There is no form of reasonable punishment for those who find pleasure in pilfering public purses, who take the virtue of their position for depravity and morally wanting dealings. Our national Assembly has by virtue of silence consented and instituted immorality in our culture. . They allowed what they are supposed to fight to fight and conquer us as a Nation.

The Executives have on the other hand becomes outlaws and in some occasion are even the law. And who is the accomplice? The almighty National assembly.
This is a case of the Eagle feasting among chickens.

The executive (the president And Governors ) have taken the liberty of running the affairs of the state in their whims and discretion thereby putting the lives of dependent subjects in constant guess and bamboozled. The Nigeria Government has been infamously recognized for its turpsy-turvey policies and somersaulting policies, leaving an air of unpredictability and general sense of instability.


From a double standard foreign diplomacy to incoherent economic policies is a testimony to the fact that the foundation of democratic structure of this country is faulty and it is high time the National Assembly rectified this structural deficiency. Firstly a constitutional amendment or a total over haul must no longer be an issue for consideration but an urgent and necessary step to save us from imminent social collapse.


We have debated as a country up to the last conference organized by the former president Goodluck Jonathan, and it is my believe that we have articulated our concerns and expectations enough for the National Assembly to put all these yearning of the people to fruition in a truly democratic constitutional reform.


The executives should be encouraged or forced if necessary to make what so ever agenda they have for the development of the masses go through the scrutiny and protection of the law. Take United States for example, it is very unlikely that a president would enforce a policy without the backing of the congress. Like the Obama care Health policy.. It has to be subjected to the scrutiny of the legislators and when found worthy, would get the backing of the law, thereby saving the policy from being scraped by an over zealous politician.


The Social infrastructure the Buhari Government is trying to initiate must be protected by law to avoid a situation when another president comes in by 2019 to tell us the project is too expensive to Run therefore immediately suspending or out rightly canceling the scheme.


The legislators are the midwives to democracy and the National Assembly is its birth place, therefore this institution must live up to its role to save our democratic Entity from dying from lack of care.

Thank you All and expecting that this Article touches the relevant nerves for a greater Nigeria.

@gstrinity.