Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution headed by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has commenced a national public hearing of the 1999 Constitution on Thursday in Abuja.
The national public hearing which is slated for Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th would harness opinion of Nigerians as contained in the memoranda submitted at the zonal public hearings held last week across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
In a well attended public hearing on Tuesday, CAPITAL POST observed key issues itemised for attention by Nigerians which are:
“Gender equity/increased participation of women and vulnerable groups in governance.
“The Federal structure in governance and power devolution.
“Local government/Local government autonomy.
“Public Revenue, Fiscal Federalism and Revenue allocation.
“Constitutional Provision for the Establishment of State Police.
“Judicial Reform – Adjudication of election and pre-election matters and other justice delivery concerns.
“Electoral Reforms that will make INEC deliver transparent, credible, free and fair elections political parties independent candidature and election management.
“Socio-economic rights as contained in chapter II of the Constitution.
“Residency and Indegeneship.
“Immunity – Removal of immunity in prima facie criminal cases.
“Timeline for assent of bills and passages of appropriation Bill.
“States and Local Government creation.
“Strenthening the independence of institutions like the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Auditor General of the Federation and Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
“The legislature and Legislative Bureaucracy.
“Constitutional role for traditional rulers.
“Any other issues that promote the unity and good governance of the Nigerian nation.
Among the guests who attended the public hearing is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Musa Muhammad Bello. In his speech, he insisted on the abolition of indegeneship in Nigeria, noting that if it is not removed, it would cause crisis which Nigeria may not survive anytime soon.
