The National Assembly of Nigeria is the legislative arm of government; it is the law making body of Nigeria which comprises of house of senate and house of representative.
- The national assembly makes laws
- Repeal obsolete law
- The national assembly approves the amount citizens are to pay for tax
- The assembly approves loans to be obtained by the country
- It is the responsibility of the national assembly to approve budget and carryout over sight functions.
- It is the responsibility of the national assembly to make policy
- The members of the national assembly serve as the mouthpiece of their constituent; they articulate the interest of their constituent and present it to the national government
- It is also the functions of the national assembly to amend the constitution when necessary.
- They also control executive officials; the control of the executive officials is done to prevent autocracy on the part of the executive.
- Any member of the executive that goes contrary to the law can be invited to the national assembly for questioning or strict discipline.
- Moreover, the national assembly can impeach the president or vice president when found to have committed the act of gross misconduct.
- Furthermore, ministerial and ambassadorial nominees are approved by the national assembly. This is done to ensure that only qualified candidates are appointed to head post and to ensure strict adherence to federal character principles.
- Finally, the national assembly also approves treaties. When a country enters into agreement with another country, the agreement is not valid until the national assembly approves it.
- National Assembly controls the expenditure of public fund. It examines the implementation of budget by ministries. They supervise the expenditure of the government in line with budget funds.
- The National Assembly has power to declare a state of war between Nigeria and another country or state of emergency on any state of the federation.
- It is only the National Assembly that has power to approve the deployment of the armed forces on combat duty outside Nigeria.
- The National Assembly enacts the bilateral and multi-lateral treaties between Nigeria and other countries into law.
- National assembly ratifies the agreement and resolution between Nigeria and international bodies and conventions and protocols on Nigeria’s international obligations.
- National assembly receives visitors from friendly countries, members of legislative house of other countries.
- They also receives complaints from the public and advises government on such complaints. Senators and members of the House of Representatives act as the spokespersons of their constituencies.
Reasons why People adopt Democratic System of Government
Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is the type of government that defines and protects the right of the citizens. The following are the reasons why people adopt democratic system of government in their country
For the purpose of good government:
Democratic system of government is the best type of government any country can adopt, because it provides good governance to the people. It encourages the citizens to participate in government activities.
For the protection of fundamental human right:
Democratic system of government helps to protect the fundamental rights of the people. It shuns the abuse of human rights and protects the citizens from dictatorship.
It allows the people to participate in the election of their leaders:
Democratic system of government encourages active participation in electoral process. Citizens participate actively during election to elect their best choice in political office.
It discourages the dictatorial system of government:
Dictatorship does not thrive well in democratic system of government because it is the type of government that shuns corruption and abuse of fundamental human right.
Democracy gives the opportunity to change those in government periodically:
In democracy leaders are changed periodically, mostly leaders stay in office for a period of four years, which after another election will be conducted.
It is the system of government that respects the law of the land:
The respect for rule of law is evident in democracy, in every democracy the government governs by the principles of rule of law.
In democracy, people have the right to express themselves:
The best thing about democracy is the ability to express your own opinion without fear or favour. Democracy gives her citizens that right of expression and association.
It allows the existence of opposition party:
Under democratic system of government opposition exist, the opposition party acts as checks and balances to the ruling party.
It brings government to the grassroots administration:
Democratic government extends it administration to the grassroots level; to ensure that the local people enjoy the dividends of democracy.
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