If the president refuses to sign a bill within a specific period, it can still become a law through

Analyze the question

The question asks what happens when the president withholds assent (refuses to sign) a bill within the stipulated period. How can the bill still become law?

Explain the concept

In Nigeria's presidential system, the legislature (National Assembly) makes laws, and the president gives assent. To prevent the president from blocking legislation indefinitely, the 1999 Constitution (Section 58) provides a check:

• The president has 30 days to assent to or withhold assent from a bill.
• If assent is withheld, the National Assembly can override the veto by passing the bill again with a two-thirds majority in each House (Senate and House of Representatives).
• Once that is done, the bill becomes law without the president's signature.

This process is called a veto override, or a legislative override.

Solution: checking each option

• A. Legislative override: Correct. The National Assembly can override the president's refusal by a two-thirds majority vote.
• B. None of the above: Wrong, since A is valid.
• C. Judicial review: This is the power of courts to examine whether laws or executive acts are constitutional. It does not turn a bill into law.
• D. Public petition: Citizens can petition the legislature, but a petition cannot make a bill become law.

Answer

The correct option is A. legislative override.

Exam tip

Remember the pairing: Veto → Override → Two-thirds. Whenever you see "president refuses to sign," think "National Assembly overrides with a two-thirds majority." Also remember that judicial review is about constitutionality, not lawmaking.