Stakeholders urge NASS to align constitution review with democratic practices
By Ebere Agozie
Stakeholders in the judicial sector have urged members of the National Assembly to ensure the proposed constitution review aligns with democratic best practices.
They gave the charge at a one-day Webinar Series No. 14 of the Rule of Law Foundation organised to address the Problems of Modern Day Nigeria through Constitutional Amendment.
The event was to commemorate the 45 years anniversary of call to the Nigerian bar and 30 years of conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on JB Daudu.
Daudu in his paper, which he averred as his `Input as it Relates to the Ongoing Process Of Constitutional Amendment’, said that the review must also ensure historical lessons and the urgent need for public trust in Nigeria’s legal system.
“If the Nigerian elite are to be honest to themselves, they will readily agree that the reason for bad governance and corruption in Nigeria is not the nature of the constitution in view.
`It is the attitude of the leaders and those at the helm of authority to the basic principles of governance.
“I have always believed that a constitution is not what determines how a country is run. It is the honesty, the decency, the God-fearingness of the leaders that will determine it.”
He added that any constitution can be applied equitably and fairly unless personal interest comes into play.
Daudu said that if a constitution is not properly applied, it would not bring about the much needed justice and peace in the society.
The governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, said that it is imperative to stress the importance of constitutional amendment.
Ododo was represented by Muiz Abdullahi, SAN, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the state.
He added that the amendment in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized as some of the provisions of the constitution are no longer in tune with international best practices.
“Amendment of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is therefore crucial for the following reasons.
“To promote the rule of law by strengthening the independence of the judiciary, enhancing the protection of human rights and access to justice.
“To strengthen federalism in Nigeria, state governments should be made more independent by proper devolution of powers. More power should be devolved to state governments for rapid development across the country.’’
The governor urged that the federal and state governments should be allowed to legislate on issues that border on mining and others.
Ododo said that this would address provisions in the constitution that are capable of causing confusion or multiple interpretations.
“For example, who legislates on items not contained in either the exclusive or concurrent legislative list.
“We have to bring the constitution at par with changing times in order to align same with international best practices.
“It should ensure that the constitution is a reflection of the aspiration as well as the needs of the citizens of the country for an efficient promotion of good governance and national development’’.
He, thereafter, congratulated Daudu for the milestone of celebrating greatness, success and outstanding impact in the legal provision in Nigeria and beyond. (NAN)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
