Assert independence in ongoing constitution review, Reps task state legislators

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, tasked all the State Houses of Assembly on the need to assert their independence during the ongoing constitution review.

Chairman of the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu gave the charge during a meeting held with leaders of South West State Houses of Assembly.

Kalu who gave details of a series of consultations held with the 36 State Governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Leaders of the South West Houses of Assembly, confirmed the 10th Assembly’s position to ensure full autonomy of the Legislative arm of government.

“So we briefed them (Governors) on the ongoing efforts to amend the constitution. We proposed the establishment of a collaborative framework, a one-stop shop where the Governors Forum can articulate their collective position and work with our Committee to drive meaningful constitutional amendment, considering that a similar collaboration in the past enabled the devolution of power from the exclusive to the concurrent list in the areas of aviation, railway, power and Correctional Services.

“A post-legislative scrutiny of consequential responses to the amendment of the constitution has been laid bare by the States in regulatory commission by a good number of States.

“We also highlighted matters such as special seats for women and related gender issues including State policing, devolution of powers and Local government reform which shall be of particular interest to the Forum especially following the recent Supreme Court judgement, noting that their perspective will guide the Committee in addressing them and other pressing concerns.

“We further informed them that the Committee is currently reviewing 161 Constitution amendment bills covering thematic areas that I mentioned here in the course of my report and invited the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to the upcoming Local Government summit.

“And in their (NGF’s) response, the Forum expressed concern about the Local Government autonomy but we emphasized the need to look at the constitution amendment process holistically, hence they requested for the synopsis of the 161 bills.

“They (Governors) proposed State by State visit for the public hearing. We are considering the request despite the huge cost of logistics.”

On the meeting held with South West Governors’ Forum on the ongoing constitution review, he said: “I also had an engagement with the South West Assembly leadership which took place on 21st to 24th November. I went with the Leader of the House and Spokesperson of the House who is also a member of this Committee.

“It was a meeting of the principal officers from the State Houses of Assembly in the South West, the work plan of the Constitution Review Committee. Remember the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures is an integral partner and they have actively participated in most of our activities.

“We emphasized that the State Legislatures must assert their independence as dictated by the doctrine of separation of powers and in exercising their constitutional role when the bills are eventually transmitted to them for approval.

“We also encouraged them to embark on legislative scrutiny of the previous constitutional amendment Act passed by the National Assembly and determine the reasons behind the devolution of powers. What mischief did they try to cure, who benefited from the devolved laws and what steps did the State Legislatures take to ensure that the people benefited from those laws. Are they the bedrock of our functions as a people, creating enabling laws for rapid socioeconomic development. It’s very important they play a major role in this engagement.

“And so we urge them to sponsor bills that will enable their sstates to reap the benefits of the constitution amendment that we did in the 9th Assembly that will create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in their States,” Hon. Kalu stressed.

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