N/Assembly begins constitution amendment today

Both chambers of the National Assembly will today begin clause-byclause consideration of the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

In a statement by his media office, Senate President Bukola Saraki, has described the process as another ‘Promise Kept’ by the 8th National Assembly.

“You will recall that when we first came into office, I made a promise that we will amend the Constitution to reflect new realities that have arisen. Now, we are doing just that. With just under two years left to spare in this tenure, we are wrapping up this process, which will then be transmitted to the State Assemblies for concurrence.

“We will continue to ensure that all the promises that we have made to the Nigerian people will be kept. It is also our hope that we can get this amendment sent to the state assemblies quickly, so that the new amendments can take effect by the New Year and well-clear of the political electioneering season,” he said.

Key areas of consideration in the Constitution amendment report, which includes 27 different bills, are a Bill to decongest the Exclusive Legislative List by transferring certain items contained therein to the Concurrent List, thereby enabling the States to make laws in respect of those items; a Bill to alter the Constitution to abrogate the State Joint Local Government Accounts and empower each Local Government Council to maintain its own special account; and a Bill to provide the Independent National Electoral Commission with sufficient time to conduct bye-elections and provide grounds for de-registration of political parties.

Others are a Bill that seeks to alter the Constitution to provide for the timely passage of Bills; a Bill that seeks to alter the Constitution to provide a timeframe, within which the President and Governors shall forward to the Senate or the State House of Assembly names of nominees for confirmation as ministers or commissioners; and a Bill to alter section 147 of the Constitution to provide for the appointment of a Minister from the FCT, Abuja to ensure that FCT is represented in the Executive Council of the Federation.