The 10th Nigeria National Assembly convened following the general elections held on February 25, 2023. Composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, it is responsible for lawmaking, oversight, and representing the interests of the Nigerian people. The 10th Assembly brings together newly elected and returning lawmakers from various political parties, with a significant presence from the All Progressives Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and other parties.
Composition
The Senate, the upper chamber, consists of 109 members (three senators from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and one from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja). The House of Representatives, the lower chamber, is made up of 360 members, with each member representing a federal constituency.
Leadership
The President of the Senate for the 10th Assembly is Senator Godswill Akpabio of the APC, who represents Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. He succeeded Ahmed Lawan, who served as Senate President in the 9th Assembly. Akpabio’s deputy is Jibrin Barau, also from the APC.
In the House of Representatives, the Speaker is Tajudeen Abbas of the APC, representing Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State. He took over from Femi Gbajabiamila, who was Speaker in the 9th Assembly. The Deputy Speaker is Benjamin Kalu, representing Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, also from the APC.
Key Issues and Legislative Agenda
The 10th Assembly has prioritized several critical issues affecting Nigeria, aiming to address economic challenges, security, healthcare, and education. Key areas of focus include:
- Economic Reforms: Tackling inflation, unemployment, and poverty by enacting legislation to promote investment, create jobs, and stabilize the economy.
- Security: Strengthening Nigeria’s internal security, addressing insurgency, and combating banditry, particularly in the North and other affected areas.
- Constitutional Amendments: Continuing the review of the Nigerian Constitution, with potential changes in areas such as state policing, devolution of powers, and judicial reforms.
- Education and Healthcare: Improving infrastructure, quality of services, and access to education and healthcare, aiming to enhance Nigeria’s human capital development.
- Anti-Corruption Measures: Supporting initiatives to reduce corruption, improve governance, and enhance transparency in public administration.
Party Distribution and Dynamics
The 10th Assembly features members from a range of political parties, but the APC holds a significant majority in both chambers. Other parties represented include the PDP, Labour Party (LP), and smaller parties, reflecting Nigeria’s evolving multiparty landscape. Despite party differences, lawmakers have expressed a commitment to bipartisan collaboration on key national issues.
Committees and Oversight Functions
Both chambers of the National Assembly have established various standing and ad-hoc committees that focus on specific sectors, such as finance, defense, judiciary, public health, and education. These committees play a crucial role in the Assembly’s oversight function, ensuring accountability in government agencies and ministries.
Notable Challenges
The 10th Assembly faces considerable challenges, including:
- Economic instability and high inflation rates.
- Insecurity in various regions, with ongoing conflicts in the Northeast and rising banditry in the Northwest.
- Youth Unemployment and demands for social reforms, heightened by the impact of recent #EndSARS protests and calls for more inclusive governance.
Impact and Public Perception
The public closely monitors the actions of the 10th Assembly, with expectations for substantive legislative changes to address the country’s socioeconomic issues. Lawmakers in this Assembly are under pressure to deliver tangible results, especially with heightened awareness and engagement by Nigerian citizens on governance and policy issues.
The 10th Nigeria National Assembly is pivotal in shaping the future of Nigeria as it navigates complex domestic and global challenges, with a mandate to deliver impactful governance and address the pressing needs of the Nigerian populace.
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