WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR CONSTITUTION REVIEW

Towards the last quarter of the 6th National Assembly in Nigeria, the process of Constitution Review began and culminated in the amendment of several sections including the Electoral Act. At the beginning of the 7th National Assembly, the Senate especially spear headed the process which the House of Representatives concurred. 

To this end, many optimistic Nigerians saw the process as a way of liberating the people. The wide zonal and constituency consultations offered a lot of hope since they were met with large crowds of attendants. These consultations resulted to the enumeration of several issues to be tabled for discussion in the legislature and subsequent translation into laws that would amend affected areas of our constitution. The Senate especially set criteria to begin legislative activities that would consider issues like states creation, boundary adjustments, local government autonomy and host of other issues. 

Of course the process is on going. However, in recent times the entire process or better still the brouhaha associated with it has fizzled out. In fact, what seemed to be a transparent process guided by public opinion began to lost its integrity and representation, leading to many Nigerians asking questions as to the integrity of the process and its eventual outcome.

The year 2013 is gradually coming to an end and nothing tangible has been recorded as success of the committees on Constitution Review of both Houses especially given the huge amount of public funds that have been allocated for this purpose.

Does it mean the Constitution Review Process has ended? what is happening to the aspirations of Nigerians that have been brought forward for legislative action? Do members of the Committees have requisite knowledge in advancing their roles? what of the hundreds of millions of Naira been voted for the course? Is it another case of deceiving the populace? Nigerians demand answers to these questions to know exactly where their fate lie. We ought to remember that the voting results from both Houses of the National Assembly must be reconciled in order that they are sent to the State Houses of Assembly for another round of voting. Where are we exactly on the time table or agenda of the Process? It will only be wicked if this set of Nigerians come back next year through the budget asking for more funds when nothing is on ground to justify any further trust. While we await any positive action in that direction, Nigerians ought to ask those they sent to represent them, questions about the on-goings in the constitution review process. We demand genuine answers where our security, welfare and livelihood is being directed. 

The least we can do, is educate and remind ourselves of our rights in a democracy.