Nigeria: National Conference - Senate Bill Empowers Jonathan to Propose New Constitution
The Senate yesterday began considering a bill which is seeking to give President Goodluck Jonathan powers to propose an entirely new constitution from the report of the ongoing National Conference.
The bill is contained in the report of the Senate Constitution Review Committee, submitted by its chairman, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.
It seeks yet another amendment to section 9 of the 1999 Constitution to make a fresh provision for the introduction of an entirely new constitution by the President.
But many senators who spoke during debate on the merits and general principles of the bill expressed stiff opposition to the new bill, describing it as a backdoor attempt to legalise the National Conference.
They said the provisions of the bill are superfluous, unnecessary and ill-timed, and could spark public suspicion.
Our correspondent reports that the Senate had in July last year amended section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, stipulating a new amendment procedure including a provision for a referendum to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, that proposal is yet to be taken to the House of Representatives when Ekweremadu's committee came up with a new version yesterday.
Whereas section 9 (3B) of the 1999 Constitution precludes the parliament from initiating a proposal for an entirely new constitution, the bill passed by the Senate last July altered that, and empowered only the National Assembly to propose a new constitution.
The Ekweremadu committee yesterday recommended that clause 2 of the fourth amendment bill, which is still pending before the two Houses, be altered to empower the President to propose a new constitution, in anticipation of the outcome of the ongoing National Conference.
Jonathan had said that the outcome of the National Conference would be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration.
"The National Assembly or the President may propose a new constitution for the Federation," the new clause being proposed said.
The bill is contained in the report of the Senate Constitution Review Committee, submitted by its chairman, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.
It seeks yet another amendment to section 9 of the 1999 Constitution to make a fresh provision for the introduction of an entirely new constitution by the President.
But many senators who spoke during debate on the merits and general principles of the bill expressed stiff opposition to the new bill, describing it as a backdoor attempt to legalise the National Conference.
They said the provisions of the bill are superfluous, unnecessary and ill-timed, and could spark public suspicion.
Our correspondent reports that the Senate had in July last year amended section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, stipulating a new amendment procedure including a provision for a referendum to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, that proposal is yet to be taken to the House of Representatives when Ekweremadu's committee came up with a new version yesterday.
Whereas section 9 (3B) of the 1999 Constitution precludes the parliament from initiating a proposal for an entirely new constitution, the bill passed by the Senate last July altered that, and empowered only the National Assembly to propose a new constitution.
The Ekweremadu committee yesterday recommended that clause 2 of the fourth amendment bill, which is still pending before the two Houses, be altered to empower the President to propose a new constitution, in anticipation of the outcome of the ongoing National Conference.
Jonathan had said that the outcome of the National Conference would be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration.
"The National Assembly or the President may propose a new constitution for the Federation," the new clause being proposed said.
l just hope there is no hidden agenda to this..
ReplyDeleteThey have started again oooo!!
ReplyDelete