BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The process of the review of the 1999 constitution received a boost last week Thursday as the Bauchi State House of Assembly approved the review of some key provisions of the nation’s body of laws.
Accordingly, the Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of the abrogation of the State Joint Local Governments Accounts and provide for a Special Account into which all allocations due for Local Government Councils from the Federation Account and from the government of the state shall be directly paid and other related matters.
It also voted in favour of the establishment of Local Government Councils as third tier of government and guarantee their democratic existence, tenure and for related matters.
The Assembly also voted in favour of the a new provision to compel person to obey or comply with legislative sermon and other related matters just as it also approved the Regulation of the first session and inauguration of members elect of the National and State Houses of Assembly and other related matters, stating that for the Senate and House of Representatives, the quorum shall be at least 2/3 of all members-elect while that of the Houses of Assembly 2/3 of all members of the House present.
It also voted to ensure uniformity in the retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers of superior courts of record, and other related matters as well as deleted the reference to the provisions of the criminal code, penal code, criminal procedure code or Evidence Act in the Constitution and other related matters.
It also approved the amendment to Exclude the period of intervening events in the computation of time for determining pre-election petitions, election petitions and appeals therefrom, and other related matters.
Other areas it approved include; “Expand the interpretation of judicial office to include courts or tribunals created by an act of the National Assembly or State Assembly, and for related matters
“To Provide for the post call qualification of the Secretary of National Judicial Council, and other related matters received and Permit public servant to engage in healthcare, education, production and services beyond farming, and for related matters.
“Impose the requirement s of fair hearing in the process of recommendation of removal of judicial officers by the State Judicial Service Commission, and other related matters and move the item “Airports” from Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent Legislative List, and for related matters.
“Move the item “Fingerprints, identification and criminal records” from the Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent Legislative List, and for related matters.
“Also, the Delete the item “prisons” in the Exclusive Legislative List and redesign it as “Correctional Services” in Concurrent Legislative List and for related matters.
“Transfer the item “Railway” from Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent Legislative List, and for related matters.
“Delete after the word “areas” the words “not covered by a national grid system” in the Concurrent Legislative List, and for other related matters.
“Empower the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to enforce compliance with remittance of accruals into disbursement of revenue from the Federation account and streamline the procedure for reviewing the revenue allocation formula, and other related matters.
“Enhance the independence of certain regulatory and oversight institutions created by the Constitution. “Remove transitional lawmaking powers from the Executive Arm of Government, and other related matters.
“Specify the time within which the Executive shall present to the National Assembly any treaty between the Federation and other country for enactment, and other related matters.
“Provide a timeframe within which the President or a Governor shall lay the Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly or House of Assembly, and other related matters.
“Require the President or a Governor to submit the names of persons nominated as Ministers or Commissioners within sixty days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly, and other related matters.
“Include President of the Senate and Speaker House of Representatives in the Membership of National Security Council, and other related matters. Establish State Security Council to advise the Governor on matters relating to public security, and other related matters.
“Grant the Two Chambers of the National Assembly and States Assembly powers to summon the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governors of States respectively, to answer questions on issues of national security or any matter whatsoever, over which the National Assembly and States Houses of Assembly have power to make laws, and other related matters.
“Reduce the period within which the President or a Governor may authorize the withdrawal of monies from the Consolidated Revenue Fund in the absence of and Appropriation Act from six months to three months, and other related matters.
“Replace the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation with the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government, and other related matters.
“Establish the office of the Accountant General of the Federal Government distinct from the Accountant General of the Federation, and other related matters.
“Specify time frame for the conduct of population census, and for related matters.
“Establish the office of Attorney General of the Federation separate from the office of the Minister of Justice, or Commissioner for Justice in order to make the office of the Attorney General independent and insulated from partisanship, and other related matters.
“Provide for a State of the nation and state of the State address by the President and Governor respectively, and other related matters.
“Enhance existing provisions on the formation of political parties to ensure national orientation, viability and sustainability, and other related matters.
Provide for Independence candidacy in presidential, governorship, National Assembly, States Houses of Assembly and Local Government Councils elections, and for related matters.
“Correct the error in the definition of the boundary of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and for related matters.
“Make free, compulsory and basic education a fundamental right of all citizens under Chaps IV of the Constitution, and for related matters.
“Require the Government to direct its policy towards ensuring right to food and food security in Nigeria, and for related matters.
“Reflect the establishment and core functions of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, and for related matters.
The Assembly also approved changes in the names of some Local Government Areas.
The approval of the review of the Constitution followed the submission of the report of the House Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) Bill, 2022 which was laid by the Chairman of the Committee Hon. Danlami Ahmed Kawule, who is the Deputy Speaker of the House.
After voting on the review of the Constitution, the Speaker directed the Clerk to communicate the resolution to the National Assembly.
