Reps’ constitution review report ready

 

From JOSHUA I. EGBODO, Abuja |

THE House of Representatives’ ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has concluded its two-day retreat in Kaduna, saying that it is set to submit its report to the House on the draft review in the next few days.

After the retreat which held between Friday and Saturday, the committee concluded work on major issues including the independent candidacy in elections, succession between the president and vice president and governors and their deputies, unbundling and the independence of INEC, as well as appointment of its chairman and relevant sections that will strengthen the democratic process.

However, the committee disclosed that due to the primacy of the Electoral Act in the entrenchment of credible elections, the committee needed a little time to be thorough, and has therefore deferred some decisions on the Act to enable it to eliminate all obstacles that may impede credible elections in 2011 and beyond.

It would be recalled that the chairman of the ad-hoc committee and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Usman Bayero Nafada had recently stated that the committee would remove all issues bordering on the Electoral Act from the constitution and treat them independently.

“It is easier to amend the Electoral Act than to amend the constitution as a whole. That way we can address any grey area that poses a threat to credible elections in the future,” Nafada said.

At a post retreat dinner held on Saturday for the committee members at the Government House in Kaduna, by the state Governor, Architect Namadi Sambo, Nafada assured the governor that the committee was thorough, open minded but decisive in the consideration of the clauses.

He said the committee members set aside all sentiments to produce a document it believes, at least, 90 per cent of Nigerians will be proud of, adding that the peace, progress and stability of our democracy and nationhood was uppermost in their minds while considering the report.

“We were all guided by the spirit of nationalism and patriotism in our assignment in our bid to leave good lasting legacies to our fatherland,” he said.

Nafada commended  the governor for the various projects executed in the state, particularly the intercity railway service, the 300-bed specialists hospital and the new Government House project. He also rated the Sambo administration high in the area of security and maintenance of peace.

“We are also aware of your efforts and contributions at the national level, especially in the power sector,” the deputy speaker said. Earlier, Sambo told the committee members that the state government was working tirelessly to revive its more than 300 collapsed industries.

He said the state had provided the necessary infrastructure and enabling environment for investors. “We are also making efforts for collaborations through public- private partnership that will provide more employment opportunities for our youths,” the governor said.