₦airaland Forum

I've always thought that the subservience of the National Assembly to the president was an expression of Nigerian cultural subservience to authority. Imagine my surprise when I learned today that the legislature almost impeached Obasanjo in 2002.

When Obasanjo became president 1999 one would have expected him to have a smooth sailing relationship with the legislature, especially considering that the PDP had a majority in both houses.

However, the near experience with dictatorship under Abacha made the legislators jealously guard their autonomy. In the Senate, Chuba Okadigbo was the preferred candidate for Senate President, but Obasanjo wanted someone more amenable and supported the emergence of Evans Enwerem.

In the House of Representatives, he wasn't so lucky. The House first chose Salisu Buhari as Speaker. When it was discovered that he had forged some of his certificates he lost his position. The house replaced him with Umar Na'Abba, without asking Obasanjo for his input.

Chuba Okadigbo was able to wrest control of the Senate from the unpopular Enwerem and ultimately become the Senate President. However, he was more amenable to Obasanjo.

Umar Na'Abba was more hostile. The House of Reps clashed with Obasanjo repeatedly on the budget. They wanted to increase the expenditures in the budget to allow them carry out constituency projects. Obasanjo didn't want that because he was trying to impose fiscal discipline.

Na'Aba would be a thorn in Obasanjo's side, and Obasanjo decided to have him removed as Speaker. There were reports of bribes issued out to legislators to support the impeachment of Na'Abba.

Obasanjo was confident that he had the 2/3rd required to impeach Na'Aba. However, on the D-Day, members of the House of Reps reported that they had been bribed by Obasanjo's agents.

The impeachment bid against Na'Aba failed. So, he decided to hit back by uno reversing and trying to impeach Obasanjo instead.

In August 2002, Na'Aba issued an ultimatum to Obasanjo to either resign in two weeks or face impeachment.

Obasanjo thought it was a joke.

The legislators were dead serious though. By the end of August, the Senate voted 77 to 6 to investigate wrong doing by Obasanjo. A motion denouncing Obasanjo in the House of Reps was received with rapturous applause. About 90% of members present scrambled to sign the motion

The South West, which had rejected Obasanjo in the 1999 elections, rallied round him. The AD said they would oppose any attempts to impeach Obasanjo.

The PDP called meetings in an attempt to mend fences where Bala Na'Aba and other proponents of impeachments tongue lashed the former general. The allegations against Obasanjo were that he didn't fully implement the budget, the massacres at Odi and Zaki Biam, and so on and so forth.

Obasanjo ultimately had to apologise to his detractors. Saying that if anyone was to blame, it was him.

Na'Aba was undeterred though, and was committed to proceeding with the impeachment.

Fortunately, intervention by former heads of states and intense lobbying by Obasanjo helped to reduce the 2/3rd needed for impeachment in the more amenable Senate.

Obasanjo would not forgive or forget this humiliation, and he would pay Na'Aba in kind by ensuring that he didn't get the PDP ticket in his home state of Kano. This move ultimately cost the PDP Kano State, but I guess that's a sacrifice Obasanjo was willing to make.

Source: https://x.com/olanrewajuolam6/status/1865413449376735480

nlfpmod

Op constitutionally the national assembly can't impeach nigeria president or vice president alone, it's surprise to you because you think national assembly alone can impeach anyone of them . The impeachment process must go to 36 states house of assembly for deliberation and two third of the 36 state assembly must vote for the impeachment. The impeachment process is different from that of governor and deputy where it's only the state assembly can impeach anyone of them

olyrayy:
I've always thought that the subservience of the National Assembly to the president was an expression of Nigerian cultural subservience to authority.

Imagine my surprise when I learned today that the legislature almost impeached Obasanjo in 2002.

When Obasanjo became president 1999 one would have expected him to have a smooth sailing relationship with the legislature, especially considering that the PDP had a majority in both houses.

However, the near experience with dictatorship under Abacha made the legislators jealously guard their autonomy.

In the Senate, Chuba Okadigbo was the preferred candidate for Senate President, but Obasanjo wanted someone more amenable and supported the emergence of Evans Enwerem.

In the House of Representatives, he wasn't so lucky. The House first chose Salisu Buhari as Speaker. When it was discovered that he had forged some of his certificates he lost his position. The house replaced him with Umar Na'Abba, without asking Obasanjo for his input.

Chuba Okadigbo was able to wrest control of the Senate from the unpopular Enwerem and ultimately become the Senate President. However, he was more amenable to Obasanjo.

Umar Na'Abba was more hostile.

The House of Reps clashed with Obasanjo repeatedly on the budget.

They wanted to increase the expenditures in the budget to allow them carry out constituency projects. Obasanjo didn't want that because he was trying to impose fiscal discipline.

Na'Aba would be a thorn in Obasanjo's side, and Obasanjo decided to have him removed as Speaker.

There were reports of bribes issued out to legislators to support the impeachment of Na'Abba.

Obasanjo was confident that he had the 2/3rd required to impeach Na'Aba. However, on the D-Day, members of the House of Reps reported that they had been bribed by Obasanjo's agents.

The impeachment bid against Na'Aba failed.

So, he decided to hit back by uno reversing and trying to impeach Obasanjo instead.

In August 2002, Na'Aba issued an ultimatum to Obasanjo to either resign in two weeks or face impeachment.

Obasanjo thought it was a joke.

The legislators were dead serious though. By the end of August, the Senate voted 77 to 6 to investigate wrong doing by Obasanjo.

A motion denouncing Obasanjo in the House of Reps was received with rapturous applause. About 90% of members present scrambled to sign the motion

The South West, which had rejected Obasanjo in the 1999 elections, rallied round him. The AD said they would oppose any attempts to impeach Obasanjo.

The PDP called meetings in an attempt to mend fences where Bala Na'Aba and other proponents of impeachments tongue lashed the former general. The allegations against Obasanjo were that he didn't fully implement the budget, the massacres at Odi and Zaki Biam, and so on and so forth.

Obasanjo ultimately had to apologise to his detractors. Saying that if anyone was to blame, it was him.

Na'Aba was undeterred though, and was committed to proceeding with the impeachment.

Fortunately, intervention by former heads of states and intense lobbying by Obasanjo helped to reduce the 2/3rd needed for impeachment in the more amenable Senate.

Obasanjo would not forgive or forget this humiliation, and he would pay Na'Aba in kind by ensuring that he didn't get the PDP ticket in his home state of Kano.

This move ultimately cost the PDP Kano State, but I guess that's a sacrifice Obasanjo felt was worth it.

Source: https://x.com/olanrewajuolam6/status/1865413449376735480

Obassanjo's tenure made the word 'Impeachment' a popular word...

Sincerely, PDP wasted Nigeria's golden chance to reshape this country.
Even without a strong opposition, they couldn't get their act together.

yarimo:
Op constitutionally the national assembly can't impeach nigeria president or vice president alone, it's surprise to you because you think national assembly alone can impeach anyone of them . The impeachment process must go to 36 states house of assembly for deliberation and two third of the 36 state assembly must vote for the impeachment. The impeachment process is different from that of governor and deputy where it's only the state assembly can impeach anyone of them

What are you talking about?

I'm a lawyer. It's the National Assembly that impeaches a president, with 2/3 requirement.

The one that needs the states is constitutional amendment.

Who are the funny 6 people that liked your post sef.

madridguy:
Sincerely, PDP wasted Nigeria's golden chance to reshape this country.
Even without a strong opposition, they couldn't get their act together.

It's just sad to be honest. On a whole, the PDP has been far better than the APC. I think things were moving on the right track with the PDP. Nigerians were just misled into voting for Buhari and destroying everything.

And even in this past election, Nigerians overwhelmingly voted against the APC. It's just sad that the PDP divided itself into three on the eve of the election.

olyrayy:
What are you talking about?

I'm a lawyer. It's the National Assembly that impeaches a president, with 2/3 requirement.

The one that needs the states is constitutional amendment.

Who are the funny 6 people that liked your post sef.

You are a fake lawyer, national assembly alone can't impeach nigeria president or vice president without the 2/3 of state assembly

yarimo:
You are a fake lawyer, national assembly alone can't impeach nigeria president or vice president without the 2/3 of state assembly

Stop spreading lies. Read section 143 of the Constitution and tell me where it says states states are involved. What's craziest is people liked that nonsense you posted. This shows civics education is lacking.

143

1. The President or Vice-President may be removed from of office in accordance with the provisions of this section.

2. Whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the National Assembly:

a. is presented to the President of the Senate;

b. stating that the holder of the of office of President or Vice-President is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his of office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified,

the President of the Senate shall within seven days of the receipt of the notice cause a copy thereof to be served on the holder of the of office and on each member of the National Assembly, and shall also cause any statement made in reply to the allegation by the holder of the of office to be served on each member of the National Assembly.

3. Within fourteen days of the presentation of the notice to the President of the Senate (whether or not any statement was made by the holder of the of office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice) each House of the National Assembly shall resolve by motion without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.

4. A motion of the National Assembly that the allegation be investigated shall not be declared as having been passed, unless it is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly.

5. Within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions, the Chief Justice of Nigeria shall at the request of the President of the Senate appoint a Panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation as provide in this section.

6. The holder of an of office whose conduct is being investigated under this section shall have the right to defend himself in person and be represented before the Panel by legal practitioners of his own choice.

7. A Panel appointed under this section shall

a. have such powers and exercise its functions in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed by the National Assembly; and

b. within three months of its appointment report its ndings to each House of the National Assembly.

8. Where the Panel reports to each House of the National Assembly that the allegation has not been proved, no further proceedings shall be taken in respect of the matter.

9. Where the report of the Panel is that the allegation against the holder of the of office has been proved, then within fourteen days of the receipt of the report at the House the National Assembly shall consider the report, and if by a resolution of each House of the National Assembly supported by not less than two-thirds majority of all its members, the report of the Panel is adopted, then the holder of the of office shall stand removed from of office as from the date of the adoption of the report.

10. No proceedings or determination of the Panel or of the National Assembly or any matter relating thereto shall be entertained or questioned in any court.

11. In this section- “gross misconduct” means a grave violation or breach of the provisions of this Constitution or a misconduct of such nature as amounts in the opinion of the National Assembly to gross misconduct.

yarimo:
Op constitutionally the national assembly can't impeach nigeria president or vice president alone, it's surprise to you because you think national assembly alone can impeach anyone of them. The impeachment process must go to 36 states house of assembly for deliberation and two third of the 36 state assembly must vote for the impeachment. The impeachment process is different from that of governor and deputy where it's only the state assembly can impeach anyone of them

Nonsense, that provision is for amending the constitution.

I've always thought that the subservience of the National Assembly to the president was an expression of Nigerian cultural subservience to authority. Imagine my surprise when I learned today that the legislature almost impeached Obasanjo in 2002.

The legislature is subservient because the executive pays them off. The legislature is happy collecting checks and looking busy. Anything they do is normally ignored by the public because they lack basic civics education and common sense. Remember Obasanjo was the only president to get his veto overridden by NASS. Rivers State Assembly is the only other Veto override I know about. This shows they are slaves just on one accord.

buckeyemedia:
Nonsense, that provision is for amending the constitution.

go and read and Stop quoting in name of i have commented also

Blue3k:
Stop spreading lies. Read section 143 of the Constitution and tell me where it says states states are involved. What's craziest is people liked that nonsense you posted. This shows civics education is lacking.

illiterate people everywhere, national assembly alone can't impeach president or vice president of Nigeria. Stop assuming you can fool everyone with your nonsense trash okayyyy

Blue3k:
The legislature is subservient because the executive pays them off. The legislature is happy collecting checks and looking busy. Anything they do is normally ignored by the public because they lack basic civics education and common sense. Remember Obasanjo was the only president to get his veto overridden by NASS. Rivers State Assembly is the only other Veto override I know about. This shows they are slaves just on one accord.

They weren't subservient under Obasanjo's first term. But Obasanjo checkmated them through the nomination process for reelection. About 70% lost their seats because they lost their party's tickets in the primaries.

The legislators tried reversing that in the recent Electoral Act amendment by making party primaries direct primaries as opposed to indirect primaries which governors use to remove them.

The governors opposed it, and the foolish Buhari sided with the governors. The same governors that he later had to beg to let him choose his own successor. Of course, they ignored him.

yarimo:
illiterate people everywhere, national assembly alone can't impeach president or vice president of Nigeria. Stop assuming you can fool everyone with your nonsense trash okayyyy

The constitution is nonsense trash?

Be like you be troll.

Blue3k:
What's craziest is people liked that nonsense you posted.

Maybe it's bots. People can't be that stupid.

olyrayy:
The constitution is nonsense trash?

Be like you be troll.

That sections he posted has step 1 to 8 what did step 4 says

yarimo:
go and read and Stop quoting in name of i have commented also

Mention the section of the constitution of 1999 As Amended make i go read am?!

buckeyemedia:
Mention the section of the constitution of 1999 As Amended make i go read am?!

So you just jump to quote without knowing anything mteeeew

yarimo:
So you just jump to quote without knowing anything mteeeew

Guy no vex, just mention the section of the constitution of 1999 As Amended, make i go peruse am diligently.

buckeyemedia:
Guy no vex, just mention the section of the constitution of 1999 As Amended, make i go peruse am diligently.

Next time read before you jump to any thread. If you asked before posting that your yeye trash I could have help you. For now go and help yourself out

yarimo:
Next time read before you jump to any thread. If you asked before posting that your yeye trash I could have help you. For now go and help yourself out

Guy you be intelligent man, but on this subject, u are wrong you ain’t talking to a child.
https://lawpadi.com/process-impeaching-president-nigeria/

buckeyemedia:
Guy you be intelligent man, but on this subject, u are wrong you ain’t talking to a child.
https://lawpadi.com/process-impeaching-president-nigeria/

Post everything here nobody will click that useless link

yarimo:
Post everything here nobody will click that useless link

It opens perfectly for me, it must be your weak internet service.

Go & read section 143 of your constitution 1999 As Amended.

buckeyemedia:
It opens perfectly for me, it must be your weak internet service.

nothing like weak i didn't and I won't click any link. Nairalanders beware of scam link. He should post everything here

yarimo:
nothing like weak i didn't and I won't click any link. Nairalanders beware of scam link. He should post everything here

Ok, go & read section 143 of your constitution 1999 As Amended to clear your ignorance.

Or you will obstinately refuse to read that also?

buckeyemedia:
Ok, go & read section 143 of your constitution 1999 As Amended to clear your ignorance.

Or you will obstinately refuse to read that also?

What did step 4 says of that section. That section has 1 to 8 step. Tell us what step 4 says. Notes.. national assembly is not same as house of assembly . Oya just tell us step 4 🤣🤣

yarimo:
That sections he posted has step 1 to 8 what did step 4 says

You mean this?

4. A motion of the National Assembly that the allegation be investigated shall not be declared as having been passed, unless it is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly.

What is hard to understand here? There's nothing like state house of assembly.

buckeyemedia:
Guy you be intelligent man, but on this subject, u are wrong you ain’t talking to a child.
https://lawpadi.com/process-impeaching-president-nigeria/

He has a reputation for being intelligent?

olyrayy:
You mean this?



What is hard to understand here? There's nothing like state house of assembly.

keep fooling yourself, don't you see house of assembly abi? Just keep fooling yourself please. National assembly and house of assembly is the same to you abi ? You must be kid that I am wasting my time with . This is my last response to you