Constitution: N/Assembly considers LG autonomy, special seats for women, 53 other amendments

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitutional Amendment has said it is considering 55 major areas in the ongoing 1999 constitution amendment bill exercise based on the submissions presented to the Senate and House of Representatives Ad-hoc committees. The revelation came at the opening of a two-day retreat on the harmonisation of the amendments to […]

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitutional Amendment has said it is considering 55 major areas in the ongoing 1999 constitution amendment bill exercise based on the submissions presented to the Senate and House of Representatives Ad-hoc committees.

The revelation came at the opening of a two-day retreat on the harmonisation of the amendments to the 1999 constitution held in Abuja Friday.

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The retreat was jointly organised by the National Assembly and Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC) for further alteration and harmonisation of clauses passed by the two chambers.

In his address, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Amendment, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase, called on members of the committee to give Nigerians a constitution that would strengthen democracy and reflect their yearnings and aspirations.

 He said the completion of the work would the transmission of the bill to state houses of assembly before the end of February.

On his part, the Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, said the committee had analysed, debated and did all the necessary action needed on the various submissions and would conclude the clause by clause consideration to enable them to finish the work.

In his address, Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, appealed to the lawmakers to adopt the clause on the creation of 111 special seats for women in the legislature.

He said that the provision of special seats for women in the legislature would enhance their participation in politics and contributions to the development of democracy and governance in the country.