As Reps passed constitution amendment bill for third reading

Kolawole Daniel reports on the third reading of the constitution amendment bill in the House of Representatives and work plan adopted by the House on political agitations.

Constitutionally, the National Assembly comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, is empowered to make laws for the good governance of the country.

However, following the voting on the proposed amendment bill by the House of Representatives  on July 27, 2017, the House, last Tuesday, had the bill read for the third time. This was done despite the assurance that the crucial issue of devolution of power jettisoned by both chambers would be revisited by the National Assembly.

The bills passed by the House for the third time on the constitution amendment include: A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to include Former Heads of the National Assembly in the Council of State and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to reduce the period within which the President or the Governor of a State may Authorise the Withdrawal of Monies from the Consolidated Revenue Fund in the absence of an Appropriation Act from six months to three months and for related matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for Funding of the House of Assembly of States directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to abrogate the State Joint Local Government Accounts and Empower each Local Government Council to maintain its own Special Account and make Provisions for Savings in the Federation Account before distribution to other Levels of Government and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to strengthen Local Government Administration in Nigeria and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide Immunity for Members of the Legislature in respect of words Spoken or Written at Plenary Sessions or Committee Proceedings and Institutionalize Legislative Bureaucracy in the Constitution and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide the Independent National Electoral Commission with Sufficient Time to Conduct Bye-elections and provide Grounds for De-registration of Political Parties and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for Timely Passage of Bills and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to require the President and Governors to submit the Names of Persons Nominated as Ministers or Commissioners within Thirty Days of taking the Oath of Office for Confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for Independent Candidature in Elections and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Change the Name of the Police from Nigeria Police Force to Nigerian Police to reflect their Core Mandate of providing Civil Services and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to disqualify a person who was sworn-in as President or Governor to complete the term of the Elected President or Governor from being Elected to the same Office for more than a Single Term and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Establish the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government Separate from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Make the Offices of the Auditor-General and Attorney-General of the Federation and for the State Financially Independent by placing them on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation and of the State and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to further strengthen the Judiciary for speedy dispensation of Justice and for Related Matters.

“ A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide Time for the Determination of Pre-election Matters and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to reflect the Establishment and Core Functions of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Procedure for Passing a Constitution Alteration Bill where the President Withholds Assent and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to reflect the Establishment of the Investments and Securities Tribunal under the Constitution and for Related Matters.

“ A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Reduce the Age for Qualification for the Offices of the President and Governor and Membership of the Senate, House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly and for Related Matters.

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Specify the Period within which the President or the Governor of a State shall present the Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly or House of Assembly and for Related Matters”.

With the third reading of the bills that scaled through legislative mill during the clause by clause consideration by the House as well as other legislative process involved in such national assignment by the peoples’ representatives.

In view of the political agitation and pressures on need to revisit the devolution of power voted against by the lawmakers, the House Special Ad-hoc Committee on political agitations in Nigeria announced that it has come up with a work plan on how go about its national assignment. The committee is saddled with the responsibility of investigating into the causes of political agitation in the county.

Speaking at the 16-member committee meeting, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Lasun Yussuff explained that the committee has adopted the work plan drawn by the secretariat of the committee, saying that the committee will soon call for memoranda from the general public through electronic and print media to be received at the zones.

The committee, he added will first visit zones that are peaceful and ready to make useful submission within the first two weeks. The committee will have direct consultation with state government, local government, ethnic interest groups, registered political parties, Civil societies, Youth, women and the handicapped, Nigeria Labour Congress, traditional/Religious Institution and other interest groups.

The committee will also go to the six Geo political zones across the Nation to ensure a wide consultation with opinion leaders and other various interest group with view of collating  their inputs.