Six months after the proposed bills to be amended in the 1999 Constitution were transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, only 11 responded and forwarded their resolutions in line with the provisions of the Constitution, while 25 are yet to.
Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Ovie Omo-Agege, addressing a press conference on Tuesday, described the development as unfortunate, given that State Houses of Assembly are required to make input to the Constitution amendment before it can be amended.
In his quote, “What is happening is the hands of Esau and voice of Jacob’s, saying that governors of those States that refused to pass resolutions either for or against have been pocketed by their State governors.”
He said: “Six months after the transmission of these bills to the State Assemblies, it is disheartening to inform you that only 11 State Houses of Assembly have demonstrated their independence and loyalty to the Constitution regarding the 44 bills.
“25 State Houses of Assembly have yet to consider and vote on the bills.”
The states that have responded, he said, are, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun and Osun states.
Omo-Agege said the joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives, earlier had a meeting with the State Houses of Assembly and recommended 66 “Constitution Alteration bills” based on national consensus, but only 44 were approved by the Senate and House of Representatives plenaries before there were transmitted to State Assemblies.
He said the 44 bills had they been passed, would strengthen the legislature’s authority to enable it serve as an effective pillar of checks and balances and strengthen independent Constitutional bodies.
“Create and strengthen a culture of good governance; address issues of revenue leakages and unbridled government spending, and enhance effective administration of justice in Nigeria”, he added.
