- Former Nigerian Senator Ita Enang called on the National Assembly to sue the federal government for signing treaties without legislative oversight
- Enang emphasized that any agreement involving Nigeria must be presented to the National Assembly before being signed by the government and urged the National Assembly to seek a judicial interpretation of this requirement
A former Nigerian Senator, Ita Enang, has called on the National Assembly to file a lawsuit against the federal government for signing treaties without legislative oversight. This comes in response to President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s recent signing of the Samoa Agreement.
The Samoa Agreement, signed on 28 June at the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium, is a partnership between the European Union and its member states and members of the OACPS. Negotiations began in 2018, and the agreement was initially signed on 15 November 2018 by all 27 EU member states and 47 of the 79 OACPS states. The African Regional Protocol under the agreement includes frameworks for cooperation in areas such as inclusive and sustainable economic growth, environmental protection, and human rights.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Political Paradigm on Tuesday, Enang emphasized that any agreement pursuant to a treaty involving Nigeria must be presented to the National Assembly before the government signs. He pointed out that since 2002, the federal government had neglected to involve the National Assembly in the treaty-signing process.
“Even if it is an agreement under a treaty, so long as the interest of Nigeria is involved, it has to be laid before the National Assembly. I’m urging the National Assembly to take this matter to court,” Enang stated.
He further explained that treaties of certain natures must pass through state houses of assembly and receive their approval before being finally ratified by the National Assembly. Enang urged the National Assembly or the Attorney General of the Federation to seek a judicial interpretation of whether treaties must be laid before the National Assembly before becoming law and to clarify the legal status of treaties, conventions, and protocols entered into by Nigeria without legislative ratification.
Enang highlighted that this move is not about opposing the executive branch but ensuring that Nigeria adheres to proper legal procedures and safeguards national interests. He also noted the significance of determining the legality of treaties related to international loans, suggesting that if such treaties are not lawful, Nigeria could be at financial risk.
Enang, who served as Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari on Legislative Duties, emphasized the need for the National Assembly to take decisive action to address this issue and ensure that all future treaties comply with the constitutional requirements.