Former President Goodluck Jonathan has praised the legislative courage of past Nigerian lawmakers, highlighting their ability to assert parliamentary independence and override presidential vetoes on critical national legislation.
Jonathan made these remarks on Wednesday at the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards Dinner hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The former leader was honoured with the Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to local content development in the oil and gas sector.
Reflecting on his time as Acting President in 2010, Jonathan recounted how the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill, spearheaded by Senator Lee Maeba of Rivers State and other lawmakers, was presented to him and promptly signed into law.
“When I was acting President in 2010, and the National Assembly presented the bill, I promptly signed it and we quickly established a monitoring body,” he said.
“That was a period when the National Assembly truly lived up to its name. Someone like Lee Maeba and his colleagues deserve to be remembered for their bold efforts.”
He further cited the example of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act, noting how it came into force despite initial resistance from then-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“In 2000, the NDDC bill was also vetoed by the President, but the National Assembly overrode the refusal,” Jonathan said. “In other countries, veto power is mostly exercised by the President. But in Nigeria, the National Assembly has the constitutional right to override a presidential veto if the President withholds assent for 30 days.
This can be done with a two-thirds majority, not through a voice vote but by headcount.”
The former President lauded the vibrancy and independence of the legislature during those times, describing it as a model of democratic resilience.
Jonathan concluded by urging current and future lawmakers to emulate that era’s assertiveness, adding, “I would like to use this opportunity to commend Senator Lee Maeba and his team once again.”
The evening also witnessed tributes to stakeholders in Nigeria’s local content ecosystem, with industry leaders praising the progress made since the enactment of the 2010 legislation.