Th e Senate has received the 33-item report on the fourth alteration of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. Th e report tabled at the upper legislative chamber proposes amendments which include reducing the powers of the federal government in the exclusive legislative list, fi nancial autonomy for local government and state legislature; and downward review of the minimum age for elective public offi cers, among others.
Th e report on constitution amendment bill was presented on Tuesday by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. Th e alteration bill appears to resolve the “not too young to run” agitation, a movement seeking improved access for the Nigerian youth in government. Th e bill now proposes 35 as the minimum age for the offi ce of the President and being elected to the Senate; and 25 for the House of Representatives. But it may serve as disappointment to agitators for restructuring of the federation.
While the proposal calls for devolution of power to the states, by reviewing the content of the exclusive list, it fails to review the country’s revenue sharing system and power to control resources in various states. “Th is issue that concerns my own people is excluded,” lamented Foster Ogola, PDP-Bayelsa, who made argument for “true federalism and economic restructuring so that everybody can control his resources.” Also, Adamu Aliero, APC-Kebbi, asked the Senate to step down the item on devolution of power, because it was wrong to give state more powers without greater share of the national revenue.
Th e bill also seeks constitutional provision to compel president and governors to submit list of ministers and commissioners respectively, with portfolios and 35 per cent affi rmative action for women, within 30 days of inauguration. But the part on 35 per cent affi rmative action for women was challenged by Danjuma Goje, APCGombe. “In some states, you can get many women professors and technocrats, but in some states, you cannot,” Mr. Goje said, adding that the Senate should allow the lawmakers to make further consultations before voting on the provision for affi rmative action for women. But Binta Masi, APC-Adamawa, countered Mr. Goje, urging his colleagues to sustain the item in the alteration bill. “Th ere is no part of this country where we cannot fi nd women for public offi ces,” further argued Peter Nwaoboshi, PDP-Delta.
Th e bill also seeks to ensure that minister for the Federal Capital Territory is appointed from one of the six area councils that constitute Abuja, so that that FCT will be represented in the Federal Executive Council. In seeking autonomy for local government areas, it proposes that only democratically elected councils can directly receive allocations from the federation accounts. In eff ect, the bill intends to abrogate state-LG joint-account system.
In the circumstance of unelected council, the bill calls for no allocation to such local council. Originally, Mr. Ekweremadu’s report had 32 items. But Dino Melaye, APC-Kogi, added the 33rd item: proposal that the Independent National Electoral Commission should conduct local government elections. “How do we speak of local government autonomy, without addressing the foundation,” argued Mr. Melaye who asked that states be stripped of the power to constitute state electoral commissions to conduct local government elections. -Premium Times
