The Senate Committee tasked with reviewing the 1999 Constitution has pledged to finish the process within a span of two years.
Senator Barau Jibrin, the Committee Chairman, made this statement during the committee’s first meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja.
“It is important to note that the Committee is not constituted to rewrite the 1999 Constitution but to process proposed amendments to it, and we will strive to conclude this assignment within the next 24 months,” he said.
Jibrin, who also holds the position of Deputy Senate President, assured that the committee would be thorough in its constitution amendment efforts, emphasizing that a work plan would serve as the guiding framework for committee members during the amendment process.
“The secretariat will submit a work plan and a process map with time-lines to the Steering Committee which will be presented for consideration and approval by members in the next meeting,” he added.
He stated that the committee would work closely with members of the House of Representatives and key stakeholders throughout the amendment procedures.
“I wish to quickly remind you that we will work in synergy with our counterparts in the House of Representatives, and we will be very strategic in the conduct of our affairs.
We will be guided by the laws and rules of legislative business, including precedence where it does not conflict with any known rule, while also being innovative where we can.
The Committee will strongly consult and engage critical stakeholders in a way that will ensure that bills passed by the National Assembly will be approved by the State Houses of Assembly and assented to by Mr President,” he stated.
Jibrin urged members of the committee to be committed to the constitutional review.
“I enjoin us to be committed to the activities of the Committee because the task ahead is huge as some of the issues already canvassed by some critical stakeholders are quite delicate.
Accept my congratulations on your nomination to this Committee.
Your nomination is a product of your rank as legislators generally and as ranking Senators in your various States and Geo-political zones including special interest groups.
I hope that your wealth of experience and knowledge of our nation will be brought to bear in the work of the Committee.
Accept my congratulations on your nomination to this Committee.
I hope that your wealth of experience and knowledge of our nation will be brought to bear in the work of the Committee.”
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