Lawan calls on Nigerians to take advantage of Public Hearing to amend Constitution

 

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, still smarting from a loose comment he made, disparaging the resolution of the 17 Southern Governors for the restructuring of the country, has appealed to Nigerians who have issues with the 1999 Constitution to take advantage of the two-day Public Hearing on the review of the constitution.

Lawan, during a visit to the President, Muhammadu Buhari, on the Eid-el Fitr festival, had chided the governors for calling for the restructuring of the country among other resolutions reached in the meeting in Asaba, Delta State.

The senate president admonished the governors to begin the restructuring from their states before calling on Abuja.

But on Wednesday, Lawan, during plenary, after reading a letter signed by the Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, announcing the chairmanship composition to oversee the Public Hearing across the six geo-political zones, appealed to Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the 1999 Constitution to seize the opportunity offered by the hearing.

The zonal public hearing on proposals to alter the provisions of the 1999 constitution, according to the Senate President, would commence next week and is scheduled to hold in two centres in each of the six geo-political zones in the country, from Wednesday 26th to Thursday 27th of May, 2021.

READ: Restructure now if you’re sincere about one Nigeria – Afenifere to Buhari

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Lawan, who called on various groups that have been agitating for restructuring to participate in the exercise, said it would avail Nigerians the opportunity to make submissions on any issue of interest, adding that the National Assembly on its part, would prioritise such issues to enhance the welfare and security of citizens.

He said, “Distinguished colleagues, this is a very important exercise for our country, and I’ll take this opportunity to appeal to all Nigerians who have one issue or the other that they think the Constitution review of the senate should know and take note and address.

“It’s an opportunity to go to the centre nearest to you. We are open, we are plain, we don’t have any preconceived or predetermined position on anything.

“The numerous issues that Nigerians feel should be addressed to make Nigeria better, to make citizens secured, and enhance the welfare of our people are topmost in our consideration.

“Because of this so important assignment, by this very important Committee of the Senate, the Senate will suspend plenary throughout next week.

“This is to enable not only the committee members, but the rest of us who are not even members of the Constitution Review Committee to participate in the exercise.

“Once again, we wish our committee on the review of the constitution the best of outing, and Nigerians should take every possible opportunity to be there to present whatever they feel strongly about on how this country could be better. [And] we are welcoming every suggestion and issue.”