House of Representatives Okay Constitution
Amendment
The
Nigerian House of Representatives has adopted a motion to set up
a National Assembly Joint Special Ad-Hoc Committee to “alter”
the 1999 constitution.
House Leader, Hon. Tunde Akogun, in his motion had urged his
colleagues to understand the necessity of an early commencement
of the amendment of the constitution in order to drive the
process to “a logical conclusion, and thus achieve the purpose
of the review and amendment” within the tenure of the current
session of the National Assembly. He noted that the process
requires not only two-third majority of the National Assembly
but also similar consent from the state Houses of Assembly.
Akogun, argued that since the coming into effect of the 1999
constitution certain provisions have been observed as requiring
amendments.
He said: “several decisions of different superior courts of
records have raised the need to amend some provisions of the
1999 constitution. The 1999 constitution has, however, been
variously identified as having defects and inadequacies and
therefore replete with inconsistencies. Very forceful arguments
have equally been proffered against the veracity of its
preamble, whether, indeed, it was the Nigerian people that
actually resolved to have the constitution. Such issues and
others have agitated the generality of Nigerians. A review,
therefore, would afford Nigerians the opportunity to give
themselves a truly befitting constitution.”
“Failed Attempts”
He made references to the several failed attempts to amend the
constitution, including two unsuccessful attempts by the
National Assembly and expressed concerns that the report of the
National Political Reform Committee on the review of the
constitution, submitted in the last administration, is currently
before the National Assembly and yet to be considered.
Akogun said that one of such previous attempts to review
conflicting sections of the constitution, during former
President Olusgeun Obasanjo’s administration, nearly threw the
country into chaos. He urged his colleagues to write their names
in gold by achieving the amendment in the current session of the
legislature.
In his contribution, House Minority Leader, Hon Mohammed Ali
Ndume, called on his colleagues to rise to the occasion and
participate fully, saying that an amendment of the constitution
was long overdue. He argued that the smooth working of the
country’s democracy was being hampered by ambiguities in the
existing document.
Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Chief Whip of the House, in his
contribution, supported the move for amendment, arguing that the
existing constitution does not represent the will of Nigerians.
Among others, he stressed that areas, such as the Land Use
Decree of 1977 and subsequent amendments; devolution of powers,
principles of derivation and revenue allocation; modern
electoral practices, including time-table for election and
staggered elections should be examined by the committee.
In Akogun’s motion, entitled “Review of the 1999 constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the House substituted “review”
for “alter.”
NP/MICHAEL
