Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigeria) — Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria have asked all the 36 State Legislators to liaise and seek the opinions of the people they represent in the ongoing debate on Nigerian constitution amendment.
This is to ensure that the positions of the lawmakers reflect the opinion and interest of their people at the grass root in the ongoing constitutional amendment.
A communique signed by Bello Galadi and Yusuf Goje, Chairman and Secretary respectively said the CSOs abhorred a situation where the general public would allow the legislators to decide for them on important issues that affect their welfare and therefore enjoined the general public to see themselves as stakeholders.
“We urge the media not to relent in its effort to sensitize and enlighten the masses on their right to choose how best to be governed and represented,” the communique noted.
The Communique called on government at all levels to give the constitutional amendment all the support it deserves. “On our part, we will do our best to support the exercise. We will partner with all well-meaning citizens to achieve this goal,” it added.
The meeting stressed the need for a Bill for abrogation of joint State/Local Government joint accounts; Local Government financial autonomy, financial autonomy of States Legislature and Presidential assent on Bills.
Others are, separation of the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Accountant of the Federal Government, first line charge for the office of the Auditor General of the Federation and that of States and authorization of expenditure before budgets passage.
It observed that there should be timeframe for submission of Ministers and Commissioners nominees; restriction of the tenure of the President and Governors and overriding Presidential veto power.
Authorization of expenditure timeframe for laying Appropriation Bill, strengthening the judiciary, investments and securities tribunal, the change in the name of the Nigeria Police Force and consequential amendment on Civil Defence.
According to the Communique, the conduct of bye-election and power to de-register Political parties; independent candidacy, determination of pre-election matters as well as the Bill for the reduction in age for candidates at election were discussed.
