As Civil Society groups, public and private individuals thronged Committee on the review of 1999 Constitution Public hearing on Thursday in Abuja, a non-governmental organisation, ‘The Electoral Hub, an organ of the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD), sought for maximum participation of women in governance.
The organisation presented its memoranda seeking for electoral reform for more women inclusion, local government autonomy, and the judiciary in the on going review of the 1999 constitution.
Speaking with CAPITAL POST on the memorandum at the National public hearing of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution, the team leader of the organisation, Princess Hamman Obels applauded the 9th National Assembly for their initiative in organising the public hearings on constitution review.
She was optimistic that the organisation’s position would be upheld, saying, the Electoral Hub is a multidisciplinary strategic think-tank which seeks to provide solutions to improve the credibility and integrity of the electoral process, adding that bringing women into the mainstream of governance was a practice the world over.
The memorandum which was made available to CAPITAL POST demanded among others that: “the appointment of INEC commissioners should be done by an independent body rather than the president.
“Political aspirants should be allowed to contest elections as independent candidates.
“Definite terms and tenures of local government councils should be provided for in the Constitution.
“State Independent Electoral Commissioners should be appointed by an independent body, and their funds paid directly to them.”
The memorandum also said revenue should be allocated directly to the local governments rather than states, courts and tribunals should be prevented from determining disputes related to electing members of parties’ executive committees, their principal members, or other governing bodies, the Auditor-General should be appointed by the Federal Civil Service Commission, rather than the President, the Office of the Attorney-General should be separated from the Ministry of Justice, and
the Attorney-General should be appointed by the National Judicial Council rather than the President.
Obels expressed optimism that these alterations to the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria will promote the unity and good governance of the Nigerian nation.
