Again, Reps Postpone Consideration Of Constitution Review Report
The House of Representatives has again postponed the consideration of the report on the review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
On Wednesday, at a Committee of the Whole presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, the House stepped down from the exercise, citing the need for members to thoroughly scrutinise the document before returning to the chamber to enable them to make contributions from a position of knowledge.
Although 11 items were listed on Wednesday’s Order paper for deliberations, the exercise did not take place as the members resolved to begin the process on Thursday.
At the resumed plenary on Thursday, members were divided, as lawmakers took turns to express their opinions.
Thursday’s Order Paper contained bills on local government, inclusive governance and citizenship, electoral reforms, security/state police and institutions strengthening, among others.
Preparing the stage for the consideration of the report, Kalu urged members to avail the House with their input, stating that the constitution review exercise remains one of the most important assignments Nigerians expect the National Assembly to deal with patriotically.
However, Gombe lawmaker, Inuwa Garba, objected, citing the need to allow lawmakers adequate time to study the reports before the consideration.
“I want to urge that we suspend discussing this document for now until next week. By then, our colleagues will have enough time to read through it and come from a well-informed position regarding the document,” Garba said.
The Gombe lawmaker was supported by the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, who argued that without a thorough study of the report, lawmakers will find it difficult to do what Nigerians expect from them.
“We need time to look at the amendments. This is a constitutional amendment, not just a statutory amendment. When we come back next week, we will be ready to fly. So, I align myself with the application of Hon Garba,” Chinda said.
On his part, the House Deputy Whip, Ibrahim Isiaka, also agreed with those who want the consideration deferred to at least next week.
“I want to appeal that we step it down for today. By the grace of God, we won’t step it down no more after today. We appeal to the Clerk to circulate the copies so that by next week, we will start the process,” he said.
Also speaking, Bauchi lawmaker, Auwalu Gwalabe, urged the House to be patient, noting that some of the clauses slated for alterations in the Constitution were yet to have the inputs of constituents.
He said, “This is a very important alteration that we want to start on the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If you look at some of what has been brought here, some aspects of it need some conversations with our constituents. Areas like state police, independent candidacy and others need more conversation.
“We need to consult with some of our elders, leaders and constituents. So, we will require some time to go through all these documents before we sit down and talk about it.”
For Kano lawmaker, Alhassan Doguwa, postponing the consideration of the report is not in the interest of the parliament, saying, “We said, let’s do it today, and now we are postponing it again. Members were expected on the floor today to start discussing the document.
“I want to advise that we start today because what is worth doing is worth doing well. If we have enough copies here, Mr Speaker, order the Clerk to bring them here so that every member who is on the floor today will have a copy. Otherwise, we will continue to say adjourn, adjourn, until we can adjourn no more.”
Supporting Doguwa, Osun lawmaker, Bamidele Salam warned of the dangers of another postponement, saying, “whenever we have a consideration on constitutional amendments, there is a unique procedure which allows every member of the House who has a position to express such. Mr Chairman, we have 360 members. If we don’t start now, we will be losing more days.
“This is an assignment that Nigerians have been so expectant about for the past two and a half years. We have done zonal hearings, we have done state hearings, we have done public hearings, we have done so many consultations with traditional rulers, political leaders and economic blocs. We have come to a critical stage, and postponing the start of this process is losing more days.
“If we start today, even if it is only 10 members that can contribute, we can continue on Tuesday. If we lose today again, we will have lost the whole week. And we are also sending a very wrong signal to members of the public who are watching us, who heard when it was said yesterday that we will continue today.”
Ruling on the matter, Kalu said the exercise is not about public perception of what the parliament is doing about the constitution amendment process.
“I want to be on the side of popular opinion. It’s not about the optics outside. We are parliamentarians, not entertainers. We are not trying to please the public by making them happy. The House rule says we regulate ourselves.
“If this House wants us to wait a little bit, no, till next week, and the vote says so, why not?” he asked.
That said, the House adjourned till next week with a date yet to be announced for the exercise.