The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday announced a 45-member constitution review committee on the 1999 Constitution to be chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin.
The Committee which is expected to be inaugurated next week Tuesday, comprises six lawmakers from each geopolitical zone and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The committee will review the laws in the area of artificial intelligence, and state police, among others.
Already, the 10th House of Representatives is ready to partner with the Senate and state assemblies to reach a common ground in the constitutional amendment process. The Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Oluwole Oke, yesterday, reportedly said the legislature would continue to do its work in the advancement of democracy and the rule of law.
Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State, said that in collaborating with the Senate and state assemblies, relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution requiring amendments would be looked into in the interest of Nigerians. He said: “It is a requirement of law, rules and procedure that both chambers must be on the same page for any constitutional amendment. So, there is no doubt that we will work together for the progress of our nation, Nigeria.”
Commenting, the House’s spokesman and Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, said the lower House had established a committee on inter-parliamentary relations given the importance it attached to collaboration with both the Senate and state assemblies on any matter of legislation, including a constitutional amendment. “To a great extent, we are very ready to work together in the advancement of the Nigerian cause. We understand the need for collaboration to achieve our set objectives, which is why we have a dedicated Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations,” he said.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations, Mark Esset disclosed that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, had directed him to open talks with Speakers of state houses of assemblies on the proposed amendment of some sections of the Constitution. “One of the major goals of the 10th House of Representatives and the Senate is to ensure the amendment of the relevant sections of the Constitution.
“On this note, I have the mandate of the Speaker to commence an interface with the speakers of the state assemblies. This is to enhance good working relationships in matters of national interest, including the constitutional amendment,” Esset added. There have been clamour for state police as the country following worsening security challenges such as kidnapping and banditry. Recall that governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had on Monday, restated their position on state policing, as the solution to the country’s worsening security situation, lamenting that Nigeria is “almost on the road to Venezuela”.
Also, regional socio-political groups such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum, and the Northern Elders’ Forum, have repeatedly called for state police as solution the myriad of increasing security challenges confronting the nation. Already, states in the South-West geopolitical zone have formed the Amotekun while their counterparts in the South-East also created state-owned security outfit Ebube Agu. The Benue Guards has also been operational in Benue State in the North Central while states like Katsina, Zamfara and other bandit-prone sub-nationals have also come up with similar state-established outfits.
However, these outfits have not been effective as anticipated as they don’t have the backing of the Federal Government or the Presidency while states continue to demand that Amotekun, Ebube Agu and others are granted license to bear assault rifles like AK-47 to confront lethal gun-toting marauders.