Constitution Review: Ortom Canvases State Creation, Residency/Indigene, Other Matters

BY AHMED TUKUR – Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has called for the consideration of state creation and residency and indigene matters.

Governor Ortom, who made the call while inaugurating the state committee on constitutional review in Government House, Makurdi, also called for the separation of the office of the minister of Justice from that of the Attorney General’s office, stressing that the review is long over due

He said that the task of reviewing and amending the constitution is an essential step in building a better and stronger Nigeria.

Ortom noted that no Constitution anywhere in the world that can be considered to be perfect not to require review and amendment

According to him; “The true test of a good Constitution is that it is continually tested in practice and periodically reviewed so that it is fit for the purpose”.

The governor also said that the review should acknowledge and uphold some of the key principles around which a nationwide consensus should emerge.

Ortom noted that Nigeria’s practice of Federalism, democracy and the Rule of Law need to be improved and therefore called for the establishment of constitutional court to support the Supreme Court in dispute resolution.

He said; “Having operated the 1999 Constitution for over 21 years, we have seen where the shoe pinches and should be able to make the necessary adjustments and improvements to our governance.

“We need to separate the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation from that of the Minister of Justice.

“There is also the need to separate the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation from that of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government and similarly for the office of the Auditor-General.”

Ortom urged the committee to work within the time frame expected of them and ensure all that is needed to ensure good governance are included such as state creation, Gender Equality for women and girls, the Federal Structure and Power Devolution.

Others he said are Local Government Autonomy, Public Revenue, Fiscal Federation and Revenue Allocation, Nigerian Police and Nigerian Security Architecture, Comprehensive Judicial Reforms

Including Electoral Reforms to strengthen INEC to deliver transparent, credible, free and fair elections, Socio-economic and cultural rights as contained in Chapter 2 of the Constitution.

He also said that strengthening the independence of oversight institutions and Agencies created by the constitution or pursuant to an Act of the National Assembly needs review.