The National Assembly
The Federal legislative power is exercised by the National Assembly, which comprises
two houses: the Senate, which is the upper House, and the House of representatives,
which is the lower house.
The National Assembly makes laws for the Federation on matters and issues on the exclusive and concurrent list. It also has the power to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic.
In spite of the powers of the legislature to amend the Constitution, it is still subordinate to the constitution whose over-riding control is implied in its supremacy. Thus a National Assembly has full powers to make laws for 'the peace, order and good government of the federation or any part thereof', only with respect to matters within its assigned sphere of competence.
Bills are often introduced to the House as a preliminary to law making. As a general rule, most bills originate in the Lower House of the Assembly. It could be public, private or government bill. Its first reading usually follows introduction of a bill. At the second reading the general principles of the bill is considered. The third reading of the bill is the stage of the final consideration before assent is given. It will need the concurrence of both Houses for a bill to pass into law provided it is assented to by the President, or Head of State of the Executive Branch.
