Why Buhari must sign constitution amendment, by Saraki, Dogara

Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said on Thursday the extensive consultation with Nigerians which gave rise to the alteration of sections of the 1999 Constitution has made it mandatory for President Muhammadu Buhari to endorse the amendments.

Saraki and Dogara spoke while receiving report of the voting pattern by State Houses of Assembly on the constitution amendment.

Dogara specifically said President Buhari may have no choice but to assent to the constitution amendments as demanded by Nigerians.

Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, Abdulmumini Kamba, who presented volumes of the report to Saraki and Dogara, noted that most State Assemblies were not happy that the Bill on devolution of powers failed to sail through at the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Kamba, who is also the Speaker of Kebbi State House of Assembly, pleaded with the National Assembly to reconsider its stand on devolution of powers in the interest of the country.

He said: “During the amendment exercise, some called it devolution of powers, others called it restructuring. Nigerians are not alone in the call for the restructuring of the country. Lawmakers are also clamouring for the same thing.

“We want to plead that the bill on the devolution of powers be reconsidered and should form part of the next constitution amendment exercise. This is in line with the yearnings of the people.”

Dogara said: “I have always said that governments all over the world lay claim to being democratic. There is no government out there that can truly be democratic if it does not have a fiercely independent legislature. That has been the major challenge in Nigeria. With the courage I have seen demonstrated in State Assemblies, it is an indication of the promise that awaits us.

Saraki added that when the National Assembly promised to conclude work on the amendment of the Constitution, they were not sure.

He said: “When we made this promise at the beginning of the 8th Senate, we were not sure. We have achieved a lot. There are other areas like the devolution of powers. We have set up a joint committee from the Senate and the House of Representatives to work on areas of differences. In the next few days, we will get back to work.”

 

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