Nigeria, Aug. 21 -- Shortly after being sworn in as head of state and government on 29 May, 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) delayed signing the proclamation of the first sitting of the National Assembly. The delay lasted a few days, during which there was suspense.

Subsection 3 of Section 64 of the 1999 Constitution states that, "subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the person elected as the President shall have power to issue a proclamation for the holding of the first session of the National Assembly immediately after his being sworn in, or for its dissolution as provided in this section."

The delay in signing the proclamation by President Obasanjo (GCFR) was deliberate.

The then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (P...