Constitution Review: Senate Receives 108 Memoranda

The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution which began a three-day retreat in Asaba, Delta State on Friday has received well over 108 memoranda and 56 state creation requests.The memoranda covers the entire spectrum of the 1999 Constitution, including evolution of powers, fiscal federalism, concept of the federating units, local government administration and judicial system.

Other part of the constitution which Nigerians want tinkered with are the establishment of state police, creation of states, boundary adjustment, judicial reform, etc.

Aside that, the committee had articulated other critical national issues based on unfolding realities.

They include recognition of the six geo-political zones in the constitution, role of traditional rulers, immunity clause, gender and special group and mayoral status for the Federal Capital Territory, amongst others.

The issue of state police took a central point in the proposal of speakers at the retreat, who favoured the concept.

Declaring open the retreat, Senate President, Senator David Mark, made a u-turn on his pessimism on the issue, and like others, who spoke, favoured the establishment of state police.

Senator Mark said the impressive response by Nigerians to the call for memoranda underscored the deep desire of the people to be governed in accordance with democratic norms.

According to him, the National Assembly would not foist a fait accompli on Nigerians, under the guise of constitution review.

However, he made it clear that the Senate would not allow a vocal minority to foist its dictate on Nigerians.

Chairman of the committee and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu, enjoined Nigerians to avail themselves of the opportunity of various public hearings that would be coming up at the zonal and national levels.

The chairman said “the committee was moved to believe that the successful amendment of the 1999 Constitution in the 6th National Assembly indeed buoyed the confidence of our people in the capacity and commitment of the National Assembly to amend the constitution for good governance, prosperity and health of the Nigerian states.”

In his welcome address, Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State argued that certain Acts such as Petroleum Act, Land Use Act etc be expunged from the constitution.

Uduaghan, who gave a score card of his administration, urged the committee to make a impact on the review.

On his part, a university Don, Prof. Jonah Isawa Eliagwu, faulted the seven-year single term proposed by President Jonathan as unfortunate.

Speaking as guest lecturer at the occasion, Prof. Eliagwu said in the alternative a five-year single term would reduce acrimony and other political uncertainties.

According to him, in the five-year tenure, the first year would be for introduction, period to feel the system, learn lessons and make mistakes while the rest four years would be used to deliver dividends.

Others who spoke include chairman of Governors’ Forum and governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who asked several critical questions that should be given answers in the amendment.