Still on the Constitution Review Process in Nigeria

I watched with dismay how the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria voted against granting local governments in Nigeria autonomy. To say I was surprised is an understatement. What did I expect, when a host of them were past governors and a lot more are wanna be governors!

My issue is, after consulting us electorates and obtaining our views on certain issues including local government autonomy (which we all assented to; if not, why was the proposal brought to the National Assembly in the first place if it did not receive enough recognition), the so called Nigerian senators voted against it. Who are they representing? Electorates or self interest?

It's a pity, most of us, Nigerians are not aware of our rights as citizens who vote and make leaders. We have the enormous power to sack every political appointee; either through our consent  demonstrated by legislators (our mere representatives) on our wishes by impeaching executive appointees or recalling legislators themselves  who tend to represent themselves or a section of people.

I am urging Nigerians to follow the activities of their representatives especially how they vote on issues of national interest, upon which we can demand explanations, query or recall them or don't return them at subsequent elections. At least the people of Ondo demonstrated this power by inviting their Senator to a Town Hall meeting to explain why he voted for a particular issue against their wishes. Didn't he weep? He explained, he did in error. That's what I am talking about! 

Please go to the National Assembly and request for the documents that carry your representatives' voting pattern in the constitution review process and all other national issues. If their voting is contrary to the views you asked them to portray at the National Assembly. Please begin statutory process of bringing them back home! Enough is enough!!

Early Marriage in Nigeria

After engaging my self in self education with regards to early marriage, I now realize that a lot of countries and societies allow marriages under 15 yrs with a caveat, "parental consent". This means that for such marriage to be legal and recognized, the couple must present their birth certificates and their parents must be their for identification or a legal guardian in case their parents are deceased. This is the practice in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado and Connecticut all in the US; Australia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tibet and many parts of South America. I didn't mention Arab countries cause Islam encourages early child marriage. Objectively, I appeal that Nigerians begin to view this matter with unbias and instead hammer more on the legality of ensuring that such under aged brides are enrolled in school by their so called husbands. Don't get me wrong I am in no way supporting Sen. Yerima and his colleagues! It is painful but truth ought to be told especially when u aware of it. Is it not surprising that the international community are yet to comment on the proposed law?

Constitution Review in Nigeria and the Nigerian Legislature

when the National Assembly in Nigeria began the process of amending the Constitution in Nigeria, it was met with enthusiasm by Nigerians. The first phase saw the amendment of the electoral to make way for the 2011 General Elections and other Sections of the Constitution including the first line charge status of the National Assembly. Unfortunately the State Houses of Assembly voted against their own autonomy, thanks to the enormous powers wielded by the Executive Governors (a situation the state houses of Assembly have vowed to correct this time around.

Recently, when the National Assembly began the second phase of the process, public hearings were conducted round the country and the people were consulted by both Houses. with a lot of public resources sank into the system, it is hoped that the exercise shall culminate in correcting the gaps hitherto occasioned in our Constitution and entrench more people oriented sections and clauses that would help govern our society and enhance the state policy of good governance.

After this rigorous process of consulting the people and recording their needs and demands, the respective Committees on Constitution Review of both Houses summarized these positions, memoranda and proposals to pencil down those that carried majority yearnings from the people. However the Senate would turn around to vote against some of these proposals. For instance, the Senate voted against local government autonomy much in disagreement with the majority of Nigerians who agitated for it.

My question is, who are the legislators representing? how come the people want autonomy at the 3rd tier of government and the Senate voted against it.

It is sad that the process now looks like our legislators are now ridiculing a process that was before now perceived to be in good faith. No wonder public commentators and lawyers are beginning to see them as funny actors instead of legitimate representatives.

If the process continues like this, then I pitch tent with Tam David West when he said there is nothing wrong with our Constitution but the people. Why were they wasting all the public resources used to go round Nigeria in the  name of consulting the people, if they wishes of the people would not be met. Were they elected by the majority of electorates as our mouth piece and representatives or they were (s)elected by godfathers and as such are projecting the views of a few majority. Why is it so difficult to allow a federating unit operate independently as true federalism suggest?

Only time shall tell. Nigerians please be vigilante enough to demand for voting sheets to know how your representatives voted. Hold them responsible for voting against your choices and lets make this review process a worthy one!