Mixed reactions on Tuesday in Lagos trailed the senate lists of `No-go’ areas’ in the ongoing constitution review process.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution listed some areas in which they would not compromise.
The no-go areas are principle of separation of powers; periodic elections; independent judiciary; and press freedom, among others.
The leader of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasheun, told NAN that the senate had no right to dictate to Nigerians what they wanted in the constitution.
The senate has no right to dictate to the people what they want in their constitution.
It’s the people who will make up their mind what will constitute the national constitution.
The senate should wait until we subject the constitution to the referendum. They should not dictate to us before we write the constitution.
The Deputy National Chairman of the United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP), Chief Winston Odumu-Ojobi, also agreed that the senate has no right to dictate how and what the peoples’ constitution should look like.
My take on it is that they don’t have such rights. They are not in any position to tell anybody anything.
Nigerians should decide on what they want; this is their constitution, not the constitution of National Assembly or the Constitution of the Federal Government.
It is the constitution of the people.
The first page when you open the Nigerian Constitution, it says `we the people of Nigeria’, then why are you telling the people not to discuss anything.’’
He faulted the process of the amendment, adding that the National Assembly should carry the people along.
The National Secretary of the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), Mr Abraham Breakforth, urged the senate to ensure a holistic review of the constitution.
He said that the Senate should not restrict the right of Nigerians to express their views on any aspect of the constitution.
If they must do it, it should be a holistic and not a selective plan.’’
The National Chairman of the African Renaissance Party (ARP), Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, called for the convocation of a National Conference to discuss a new constitution.
Nigerians must insist on a National Conference to bring about a brand new peoples constitution.’’
Source: Leadership
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution listed some areas in which they would not compromise.
The no-go areas are principle of separation of powers; periodic elections; independent judiciary; and press freedom, among others.
The leader of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasheun, told NAN that the senate had no right to dictate to Nigerians what they wanted in the constitution.
The senate has no right to dictate to the people what they want in their constitution.
It’s the people who will make up their mind what will constitute the national constitution.
The senate should wait until we subject the constitution to the referendum. They should not dictate to us before we write the constitution.
The Deputy National Chairman of the United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP), Chief Winston Odumu-Ojobi, also agreed that the senate has no right to dictate how and what the peoples’ constitution should look like.
My take on it is that they don’t have such rights. They are not in any position to tell anybody anything.
Nigerians should decide on what they want; this is their constitution, not the constitution of National Assembly or the Constitution of the Federal Government.
It is the constitution of the people.
The first page when you open the Nigerian Constitution, it says `we the people of Nigeria’, then why are you telling the people not to discuss anything.’’
He faulted the process of the amendment, adding that the National Assembly should carry the people along.
The National Secretary of the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), Mr Abraham Breakforth, urged the senate to ensure a holistic review of the constitution.
He said that the Senate should not restrict the right of Nigerians to express their views on any aspect of the constitution.
If they must do it, it should be a holistic and not a selective plan.’’
The National Chairman of the African Renaissance Party (ARP), Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, called for the convocation of a National Conference to discuss a new constitution.
Nigerians must insist on a National Conference to bring about a brand new peoples constitution.’’
Source: Leadership
No comments:
Post a Comment