Senate restarts process of amending 1999 constitution

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday kick-started the process of amending Nigeria’s 1999 constitution as it considered thirteen bills to amend certain provisions of the constitution.

The bills scaled second reading, after which they were referred to the committee on constitution review chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu for legislative treatment. The present constitution review committee was inaugurated on January 13.

While details of the bills are still vague, they are expected to be made public when hearing starts.

The 13 bills were sponsored by Babajide Omoworare, from Osun east senatorial district; Phillip Aduda, from the federal capital territory (FCT); Rose Oko, from Cross River north senatorial district; Theodore Orji, from Abia central senatorial district; Stella Oduah, from Anambra north senatorial district, and Ibn Na’Allah, from Kebbi south senatorial district.

It would be recalled that the immediate past Senate had also tried to amend the constitution, but the process delayed until the end of its term. However, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan declined to sign the amended document on the grounds that some sections in it whittled down the power of the president.

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