Deputy President of the Senate, Sen Barau Jibrin, has said that a new constitution must address the myriads of challenges the country faces today, by meeting the aspirations of Nigerians.
Jibrin, who doubles as the Chairman of the Senate Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review, also called for collaboration between all stakeholders involved in the exercise such as the two arms of the National Assembly, the 36 state Assemblies, consultants, civil society groups and political bodies, among others.
He spoke on Saturday at the joint retreat of the secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives committees on the review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, in Abuja.
Jibrin commended the synergy between the constitution review secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives committees, noting that this would engender harmony in the workings of both committees.
The DSP gave the assurance that the National Assembly would carry out the review the of constitution through a thorough aggregation of the yearnings of Nigerians from all walks of life.
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According to Jibrin, this will be achieved through public hearings and the collection of memoranda from various interests throughout the country, as well as embarking on a progressive engagement with state governments and legislatures.
He stated, “We must work together. Our country is facing a lot of challenges and this is the right time to fashion out a constitution that will go in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of this country.
“The world is dynamic and this compels all serious countries to go with modernity and fashion their laws in accordance with contemporary happenings within their peculiarities.
“We have started on a progressive note of collaboration and let us add momentum to this very important collaboration within our ranks in order to achieve a result that will help in driving the process of making prospective peace, justice and fair play in the way we run our affairs as a nation.”
Nigerian Tribune recalls that the sum of N1billion was earmarked for the exercise in the 2024 budget to be utilised N500 million apiece by the Senate and the House of Representatives respectively.
Already, Nigerians have begun a clamour for state police as one of the items to be given priority by the National Assembly in view of the current security challenges plaguing Nigeria.
Earlier attempts to pass state police in the review process had either failed at the National Assembly or did no secure the approval of state Assemblies due to the influence of governors.
However, with at least 16 state governors now in the vanguard of the clamour for state police, it is said that more governors will soon give their nod, which will also simplify the work of the National Assembly.
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