Attempt by the National Assembly to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has reached an advanced stage, with the transmission of 44 bills that scaled through during the voting on the 68 items listed for alterations by members of the National Assembly to clerks of the state Houses of Assembly in Abuja.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Ojo Amos Olatunde while performing the symbolic transmission of the 44 bills charged the forum of clerks of state Houses of Assembly to provide directional leadership required by the process.
He said “Today, we are transmitting to you a total number of 44 Bills as passed by the National Assembly. These Bills deal with major issues on developments, governance, Politics and the Economy”.
He continued by saying the bills “touche on issues which include the abrogation of the State Joint Local Government Account, Financial Independence of State Legislatures and Judiciary in compliance with legislative autonomy, timelines for civil and criminal cases, overriding executive veto in matters having to do with money Bills, provision for affirmative action for women in political party administration, mandatory state of the nation address by the President and Governors respectively, security of Local Government Executives tenure for three (3) years, mandatory Local Government Elections amongst others”.
“With the transmission of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bills, 2022, it must be made clear and unambiguous that the 9th National Assembly has started the process of restructuring within the polity”.
The CNA said as the Chief administrators of Nigerian Legislatures, clerks must provide directional leadership and strategic focus. They must sharpen their management and leadership skills well enough to be able to guide and advise Legislators especially on the social or economic implications of bills under consideration.
Adding that “We must not forget that the sacred duty of Clerks is ensuring that Nigeria and Nigerians get a new working Constitution. We must hold the unfolding responsibilities and opportunities with both hands”.
“We are at the threshold of history as I transmit these amendments to you today. I transmit to you the hope, yearnings, aspirations and desires of the Nigerian people, who are truly the fundamental and ultimate custodians of representative democracy in our clime” he emphasised.
Responding on behalf of the 36 state assemblies clerks, the Chairperson, forum of clerks of the state Houses of Assembly, who is also the clerk, Delta State House of Assembly, Lyna Ocholor promised to give the process the seriousness and attention it requires in conjunction with the supports of Leadership of various State Houses of Assembly.