National Conference: Delegates attempt to wield powers over National Assembly After a passionate debate, the Conference voted to send its report to the President for consideration. Some delegates to National Conference on Tuesday attempted to exercise powers they do not have under the law. Under the Order 13(3) of its draft Rules of Procedure, the final report of the Conference is expected to be submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan; but some delegates opposed that rule. Many delegates who spoke on the floor of the Conference argued that they have wide-reaching powers and could even amend the Constitution or draft a new one entirely. Other delegates kicked against any move to subject the report of the Conference to the scrutiny of the National Assembly, arguing that the legislature has always killed previous reports. But the Conference Secretary, Valerie-Janette Azinge, highlighted that the gathering was a National Conference and not a political conference or constitution amendment conference. Speaking against attempts to subject the report of the Conference to the National Assembly, Sola Egbiseeni argued that delegates are true representatives of Nigerians and can deliberate on any issue concerning the country. He said, “Everything about Nigeria is on fire. The constitution is here to be discussed. Everything about Nigeria is under surgery.” Drawing attention to Order 13 (3), he argued that the Conference has the power to discuss anything except the indivisibility of Nigeria. Mr. Egbiseeni maintained that the Conference could at the end decide to draw a new Constitution for the country. He said, “The idea that our decision will be drafted into exiting national policies is wrong. Mr. Chairman, as Chief Justice of Nigeria, you had ruled that members of the National Assembly are elected by the political party. But we are the representatives of our people. We can take decisions here that can change the destiny of our people for good.” He referred to the situation in Benue Republic where the people went through a referendum and changed the way they were governed. Mr. Egbiseeni strongly kicked against any attempt to send the outcome of the Conference to the National Assembly and suggested that the Conference should prepare a new Constitution for the country. Olaniwun Ajayi said having co-existed for 100 years; the country is yet to solve its teething problems. He argued, “If by any mistake, the decision of the Conference is sent to the National Assembly, it will end just like others. “The problems we have been facing for 54 years will not be solved. We will be on the wrong side of history by submitting our report to the National Assembly. We should send to the people of Nigeria through a referendum and say, we the people.” Mr. Ajayi, therefore, called for the amendment of Order 13(3) to empower the Conference to send its report to Nigerians to take a decision on it through a referendum. Joe Okei-Odumakin reaffirmed the position of the two last speakers. “Sending our report to the National Assembly is like waiting for a picture in the calendar to shed tears. The outcome should be subjected to a National Referendum. That is my humble suggestion,” she said. But former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, said he is afraid delegates were trying to arrogate to themselves the position they are not given. “Some delegates inadvertently thought they were elected to do something here. No matter how irregular the election could be, we can’t replace our National Assembly. “If we had listened during the inauguration, we would have heard that Mr. President was trying to persuade the Chairman of National Assembly Joint Commission on the Constitution Amendment. We are trying to deceive ourselves by trying to force a referendum. “My view is that we have a Constitution and until we replace it, we have nothing else. We are not here to write a new constitution. Who elected you to do that? We should do those things that we are capable of doing.” Robert Audu said that the work of the Conference will be done when the report is submitted to the government and suggested that Rule 3 be deleted. A delegate from Kano said the Conference has no powers to tell the President what to do with the report. He said, “We were not elected but selected. The National Assembly members were elected. To arrogate to ourselves any powers is not accepted. We can suggest that a referendum be conducted but it should be consistent with the manner that is respectful and based on our mandate.” Bisi Adedoye argued that Rule 3 should be left as it were. “We don’t have to do anything about our report. This rule is inferior to the 1999 Constitution. But if we decide that Nigeria should follow a unicameral legislature, then the National Assembly will be off,” he said. A former Minister of Education, Ruqayyatu Rufai, said some delegates have been marginalised by the Conference Chairman, adding that those on the front row have been given more opportunities than those at the back. She argued that the final report should go the way it is stated in the rule. She said, “We should not arrogate to ourselves the powers we do not have. Let us simply reduce this to recommendations to the President.” Hassan Rilwan drew attention to Order 13 (2) and said the final report must be passed by delegates before it is signed by the Conference leadership. He argued that youth have been marginalised, saying that they should be given opportunity to address issues on the floor. “Most of those who are here caused some of the problems we are facing today,” he said. After a passionate debate, the Conference voted to send its report to President for consideration. Premium Times
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 19:24:42 +0000
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