Reps call for proposals as they begin constitution review

The House of Representatives has commenced the process to further review the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Already its Special Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has requested the general public, executive and judicial arms of government, civil society organisations, professional bodies and other interest groups to submit proposals or memorandums to its secretariat.

The Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the committee, Ahmed Wase, called for proposals relating to the federal structure and power devaluation, local government autonomy, fiscal federalism, revenue allocation, Nigeria Police and security architecture and judicial reforms.

They also want memorandums in the area of electoral reforms to strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission to deliver transparent, credible, free and fair elections; socio-economic and cultural rights as contained in Chapter 2 of the constitution.

This, they said, would strengthen the independence of oversight institutions, immunity, state creation, National Assembly and others “that will promote good governance and welfare of all persons.”

Wase, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Puma, titled ‘Constitution review: Reps commences process, calls for memoranda,’ said the committee would focus on issues regarding immunity, state creation, National Assembly and other matters that would promote good governance and welfare of all persons, residency and indigenous provision.

The House had on October 15, 2020, inaugurated the committee to process all bills seeking alterations to the provision of the constitution.