₦airaland Forum

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has faulted claims by social critics that the serial review of the 1999 Constitution as amended is a waste of resources and has not achieved anything.
Osinbajo, in his goodwill message yesterday at the inauguration of the House of Representatives’ special ad-hoc committee on the review of 1999 Constitution, said the various amendments to the constitution have strengthened the document and made the nation’s democracy better.
In furtherance of the review, the House yesterday inaugurated a special ad-hoc committee to superintend over the exercise.

The committee listed its focus to include, among others, how to achieve federalism, state police, creation of more states and local government autonomy.
Also speaking at the inauguration, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, reiterated his statement that the next presidential election will hold on February 18, 2023, and urged members of the House to speed up the process of reviewing the constitution, as only about 855 days are left before the next general election.

Osinbajo, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, said President Muhammadu Buhari remains the president who has signed the most constitutional alteration Acts since the advent of democracy in 1999.
He listed such amendments to include the Not Too Young to Run Bill that reduced the age a person must attain to contest elections and the law that granted financial autonomy to the judiciary and the legislature.

Osinbajo while restating that the constitution review is a work-in-progress, urged the ad hoc-committee not to discountenance any constitution alteration proposal, no matter how idealistic but to look at ways to galvanise them to improve the economy, create jobs, guarantee national safety and security and abolish corruption.

He assured the ad-hoc committee that the executive will cooperate with it by making input into its work and assenting to the final product at the end of the process.
”My presence here underscores the importance this administration attaches to the review of the constitution to be able to address our societal ills and propel the nation towards greatness,” he said.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the committee’s leadership and members to discharge their mandate excellently by liaising with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations, multilateral and supranational agencies and bodies to achieve a wholesome amendment to the Nigerian constitution.

Yakubu Restates February 18 Date for 2023 Presidential Election

Meanwhile, INEC’s Chairman, Yakubu, has said the next presidential election will hold on February 18, 2023.
In his goodwill message he urged lawmakers to speed up the process to facilitate the smooth conduct of the next general election.
Yakubu told members of the House that only about 855 days are left before the next general election.
He explained that as in 2019, general elections in the country have to be held in the second week of February of each election year, and called on the National Assembly to ensure the timely review of the constitution.

He also called for the review of the Electoral Act to give legal backing to the use of technology in the electoral process, adding that the present manual process is cumbersome and costly.
Speaking for himself, the SGF urged the committee to select items that can be easily taken, to avoid stalling the process and destabilising the system.

Also speaking at the inauguration at the National Assembly complex, the Chairman of the Committee and the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Idris Wase, said the panel would consider the creation of states, state police, federalism, local government and judicial autonomy while reviewing the 1999 Constitution.
He said already, over 15 constitution alteration bills had been referred to the committee touching on these broad thematic areas.

He added that there have been attempts to amend the 1999 Constitution, yet the agitations for a much more fundamental amendment has not stopped.
According to him, despite the fact that Nigeria prides itself as a ‘federal state,’ it is far from what federalism entails.

He said until critical areas are resolved, the clamour for a new constitution may continue.
”These are burning issues that have been left to burn for so long without giving them the much-needed attention. The burning issues include the federal structure, local government autonomy, state police, state creation and judicial autonomy,” he said, adding: ”Some have stated that our federal system is more unitary than federalist, especially with the number of items on the exclusive legislative list where the federal government regulates even simple items like primary education and agriculture.”
He said this has led to clamour for more devolution of powers from the centre to the states in order to makes states more viable and economically sustainable.

On local government autonomy, he said: “As a third-tier of government, all the local governments are supposed to be independent. However, we have not seen such independence in a long time. Arguably, the framers of the 1999 Constitution, created a worrisome situation by giving validity to the existence of 3.162 (6), which prescribes the “State and local government joint account.”

On state police, the deputy speaker said: “While internal security is of paramount importance, the concentration of the power of the police at the central government has created several policing challenges at the states. While some have advocated for the creation of state police, others have expressed worry on the possible abuse of such power by state governors. However, one thing that is clear is the need for us to take a second look at our internal security superstructure in order to make it work for our people and protect their lives and properties.”

Speaking on the agitation for state creation, he stated: “It is pertinent to note that the current 36 states of our federation were created via military decrees. Hence the true wishes and aspirations of the people were never considered in such creations.
“There is a need, therefore, to examine the subject of state creation (and the associated constitutional rigours and difficulties surrounding it) in such manner as to reflect the wishes and aspirations of homogenous people in a democratic system.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, while inaugurating the committee, asked the members to engage as many voices as possible in the course of its work.
He said the committee should also consider the expectations of different interest groups of Nigerians.
He said the House is determined to come up with a constitution that addresses most of the current challenges facing the country.

”I encourage you during this assignment to seek out and listen to as many voices as possible. Engage with as many interest groups as possible, reject misinformation, document the stories of our people, and consider their expectations,” he said, urging them: “Let the work you do demonstrate that this House of Representatives is fully capable of reflecting the most urgent concerns of the Nigerian people and acting in their best interests.”
He said he was confident that the ad-hoc committee will act judiciously and produce for the consideration of the House a quality report that members can implement expeditiously.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/10/16/osinbajo-backs-constitution-review-says-exercise-not-waste-of-resources/

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Osinbajo while restating that the constitution review is a work-in-progress, urged the ad hoc-committee not to discountenance any constitution alteration proposal, no matter how idealistic but to look at ways to galvanise them to improve the economy, create jobs, guarantee national safety and security and abolish corruption.

May God will bless you for me Mr VP

Said the panel would consider the

i. creation of states,
ii. state police,
iii. federalism,
iv. local government autonomy
v. judicial autonomy

Please and please fellow Nairalander, which of the following is your current problem, affecting you of all these? Please I beg, answer.

For me,

vi. NONE OF THE ABOVE

We keep screaming #endsars #endswat but these people knows its end everything that is drawing us backwards. Now they're waking UP.
We must get there , we'll tell our children the beautiful story that changed Nigeria. No more tribalism, nepotism.
The world will respect the Nigeria youth. Things will be so good that no one would have to do fraud for $100 iTunes card

make I rent two bedroom flat 4 here first, we are getting there

protests:
Said the panel would consider the

i. creation of states,
ii. state police,
iii. federalism,
iv. local government autonomy
v. judicial autonomy

Please and please fellow Nairalander, which of the following is your current problem, affecting you of all these? Please I beg, answer.

For me,

vi. NONE OF THE ABOVE

i,iii,iv
I want Lagos state to be Dr devided into two. Lagoon state and Lagos state. Lagos east are marginalize and needs to break out.
In Ogun state ijebu axis are also neglected and they need ijebu state.
True federalism and local government autonomy.
I'm very sure alpha beta won't dare com to my local government to collect TAX

This one has finally woken up after 5years, good morning Mr. V.P, una must have sense by force u and your oga

The review is very necessary because democracy is not properly practiced in this country. Come to think of it , even with the amendment, dictators in form of politicians will still breach the law, since they are immune to it

The APC boycotted the Confab organised by GEJ and up till date the same APC has refused to review it. In what can best be described as an insult to our collective sensibilities , Buhari appointed that short demon of Kaduna to be the sole reviewer of the Report in what can be described as showmanism.

Osinbanjo you are devil and a liar to speak on constitutional reforms .

AntiBalaka:
The APC boycotted the Confab organised by GEJ and up till date the same APC has refused to review it. In what can best be described as an insult to our collective sensibilities , Buhari appointed that short demon of Kaduna to be the sole reviewer of the Report in what can be described as showmanism.

Osinbanjo you are devil and a liar to speak on constitutional reforms .

Pls stop living in the past, why didn't Jonathan implement the Confab, we will never achieve anything if we continued with this apc vs pdp nonsense

If the review doesn't (directly or indirectly) lead to the expected restructuring, then it's going to be another futile effort at continuing this central-government structure which obviously doesn't work for us

AntiBalaka:
The Adevil and a liar to speak on constitutional reforms .

Way forward Mr man

AntiBalaka:
The APC boycotted the Confab organised by GEJ and up till date the same APC has refused to review it. In what can best be described as an insult to our collective sensibilities , Buhari appointed that short demon of Kaduna to be the sole reviewer of the Report in what can be described as showmanism.

Osinbanjo you are devil and a liar to speak on constitutional reforms .

Stop abusing him, and say what is in your mind If you know you don't have any better things to say just keep quiet

Remember na devil they know who be devil

If this does not include Restructuring. Then it is a waste of time and resources Sir.


#RebolutionNow

udoakwa:
This one has finally woken up after 5years, good morning Mr. V.P, una must have sense by force u and your oga

And you are still sleeping, is it the duty of the executive arm of Government to make Laws, or the legislative arm?, go and hold your kinsmen in the National Assembly responsible & stop chasing shadows.

AntiBalaka:
The APC boycotted the Confab organised by GEJ and up till date the same APC has refused to review it. In what can best be described as an insult to our collective sensibilities , Buhari appointed that short demon of Kaduna to be the sole reviewer of the Report in what can be described as showmanism.

Osinbanjo you are devil and a liar to speak on constitutional reforms .

What concerns Jonathan & pdp selecting people for a constitutional conference, when we already have elected representatives? Mumu, if Jonathan believed in his so called charade, why did he not implement it? He had been in power since 2010, why did he wait until elections was round the corner to organize a pdp fire brigade charade?

AntiBalaka:
The APC boycotted the Confab organised by GEJ and up till date the same APC has refused to review it. In what can best be described as an insult to our collective sensibilities , Buhari appointed that short demon of Kaduna to be the sole reviewer of the Report in what can be described as showmanism.

Osinbanjo you are devil and a liar to speak on constitutional reforms .

How APC didnt even add up to 20% of NASS.

Low-key Buhari/Osinbajo want to change the constitution but they are acting a bit careful, although some term it as slow because NASS is fantastically corrupt.

Rhapsodia:
If this does not include Restructuring. Then it is a waste of time and resources Sir.


#RebolutionNow

Charity they say begins at home, Borno Sate’s problem is different from Ebonyi’s States own, go and restructure your individual states to be productive, that is where your problem lays. If I ask you to mention 1 thing your state has done for you, you wouldn’t be able to mention any, but very quick to blame the FG, that has no business with you in a Local Government.

blacknp:
Charity they say begins at home, Borno Sate’s problem is different from Ebonyi’s States own, go and restructure your individual states to be productive, that is where your problem lays. If I ask you to mention 1 thing your state has done for you, you wouldn’t be able to mention any, but very quick to blame the FG, that has no business with you in a Local Government.

I am from Akwa ibom state . Should I still go ahead to tell you what the govt has done for the people or you will Google it yourself

Please don't be speechless

Most local government are dormant. Void of any progress
They should be revived!!!!!

:The Adevil and a liar to speak on constitutional reforms .Way forward Mr man

Any review not focused on IGR focused arrangement is an aesthetic review.