The House of Representatives on Thursday insisted that it did not flout any constitutional requirement in the process of amending the constitution, which President Goodluck Jonathan rejected via a letter to the parliament on April 13, 2015 and further sued the House to court.

The Deputy Minority Whip of the House, Hon. Eric Osagie (APC, Edo) gave explanations on aspects of the constitution review contended by the president.

On Clause 4 (alteration of Section 9), Osagie said: “the National Assembly met the requirement of the said Section 9 (3) for four-fifths of votes of members of each House.

“A reference to the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives for Wednesday 24, July 2013, No. 15 at page 117 shows that the alteration of Section 9, attendance of members as registered was 338. Ayes votes were 317, Nays votes were 6, Abstain 15, totalling 338. The Senate also voted accordingly.”

Clause 4. seeks to alter Section 9 of the constitution regarding the assent of the president in the process of constitution amendment.

Further on the mandate given to the president to assent to bills sent to him within 30 days, the lower chamber. Said it is not strange. “The only new thing is that the National Assembly introduced an amendment to the effect that if the President fails to assent to the bill or indicate his withholding of assent, the bill shall become law after the 30 days interval.

Read full story
http://monitor9ja.com/2015/04/constitution-review-house-replies-jonathan/

GMB is here to sign the bill of change.

Ok