The Senate
will tomorrow conclude the clause-by-clause consideration of proposed
amendments to the 1999 Constitution and refer them to State Houses of Assembly
for
concurrence.
The same is
expected to be done in the House of Representatives with hopes that the
document would sail through as it had been agreed upon by both chambers at a
retreat held in Lagos few days ago.
The Senate
President, Bukola Saraki, has, however, applauded the dedication of the
lawmakers in both chambers of the parliament to the production of the document,
which is about to be adopted as the reviewed constitution for the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
In a
statement issued by his media office yesterday, Saraki described the process
that led to the production of the document as “another promise kept” by the
Eighth National Assembly.
The
statement said, among others: “You will recall that when we first came into
office, I made a promise that we will amend the constitution to reflect new
realities that have arisen. Now, we are doing just that. With just under two
years left for this tenure, we are wrapping up this process, which will then be
transmitted to the State Assemblies for concurrence.
“We will
continue to ensure that all the promises that we have made to the Nigerian
people will be kept. It is also our hope that we can get this amendments sent
to the state assemblies quickly so that the new amendments can take effect by
the New Year and well-clear of the political electioneering season.
“This is the
first time ever that we are concluding the constitution amendment process long
before the election year so that people can objectively participate in the
process without looking at the partisan benefits.”
In another
development, a Not Too Young To Run (NTYTR) Movement, consisting of no fewer
than 50 youth groups from across the country, has planned to stage a peaceful
rally today aimed at pushing for the inclusion of the youths within the age of
25 and 30 in the governance of the country.
The Guardian
learnt that the Movement, which insisted that the youths within the age range
of 25 to 30 years be allowed to contest for elective positions for the seat of
the Presidency, National Assembly, governorship and state Houses of Assembly in
the ongoing constitution review exercise, has planned to storm the National
Assembly complex to press home their demand.
In a
statement by Cynthia Mbamalu, the group said that it was pleased by the
statement credited to House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara,
reaffirming the commitment of the House to include the provision of the Not Too
Young to Run Bill in the constitution review exercise.
The group
noted: “As a movement, we are determined in our quest for a true people’s
constitution anchored on the principles of inclusion, equality and justice. We,
therefore, invite citizens to join us today (July 25, 2017) for the National
Day of Action on Not Too Young To Run as we engage our legislators and press
home our demand ahead of the clause-by-clause voting on new amendments to the
constitution.”
The
Movement, which planned to converge at the Unity Fountain in Abuja by 8:00
a.m., enjoined the lawmakers to be guided by good conscience, equity and
justice in view of the fact that the interests of the people must prevail.
It thereby
urged the teeming population of the country’s youths to participate in the
march to mobilise legislators to vote YES for the proposed amendment on Not Too
Young To Run, which “is a right and not a privilege.”
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