Senate strips president of powers to assent constitution amendments
The senate on Wednesday approved amendments to the 1999 constitution, following the submission of the constitution alteration bill by the state houses of assembly.
As part of the amendment, presidential assent will no longer be required for amendments to the constitution, as long as the national assembly has approved them.
Moving a motion for the passage of the bill in the senate on Wednesday, Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, stated that the exercise was in line with Section 9 of the Nigerian constitution.
Ekweremadu, who noted that alteration of the provisions of the constitution could only be approved by two-thirds of the national assembly, disclosed that the power to assent to amendments in the constitution would now be reserved for the legislature.
“This might be the last time any president would be assenting to amendments to the constitution, as Section 9 provides that when the national assembly approves the bill, it becomes law,” he said.
He added that Section 67 of the constitution alteration bill provided that the president would brief the national assembly once every year.
According to him, the bill also provides that the office of the minister of justice would be separated from that of attorney-general of the federation.
George Akume, senate minority leader who represents Benue north west, seconded the motion for the passage of the constitution alteration bill.
Very good.
Why is it very good? We are in a Presidential system of government I hope you guys understand that. What TheCable has failed to do is (a) a good analysis of the implication of this change will mean to us as a society. This sort of reporting is not only lazy but unprofessional at that. I have learnt absolutely nothing from it. TheCable I expect better stuff from you, you are not in the same category as Sahara reporters.
it is not clear whether this applies to all bills passed by the Parliament or only those relating to Constitutional Amendment. If it relates to all bills passed by the Parliament then it is a bad idea. Passing bills should not be made simpler by removing the assent of the President. The Parliament should know that these bills have profund effcts on the life and fortunes of the citizens and the country. That’s why it is not made easy to pass bills.It is a fact that Parliament do sometimes pass bad bills. If Parliament feels strongly about a bill not signed by the President, the Constitution already provides for Parliament to override the President assent by a two-third majority. Why is Senate trying to solve a problem that does not exist? The Senate should not forget that the President was elected by the whole country as a constituent unlike members of Parliament and should have a say in which bills become laws.
Exactly my point above. TheCable should now investigate the points that you raised and do another article on it for us – its readers. I don’t think that I am asking for too much here 🙂
I see your point, but the president is just one man, and the Senate has nearly a hundred. And it takes 2/3 majority to pass a bill right? Don’t you think that once a bill has passed through all the rigorous processes in the house, that it’s only fair that it won’t be held up by one man. In any case, I think this has to do with alteration in the constitution alone
brother.. read… and understand…. it is strictly for the amendment of the constitution.
I’m not comfortable with this new development at all. I smell something fishy about that house. Why won’t the president have any say to the passage of bills? Beats my imagination.
I believe most commentators here may not have read the story. It talks about asset to CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS only.
Apparently, democracy is beginning to take roots in Nigeria. It is gradually becoming a government of the majority of the people instead of the government of one person supported by a cabal of few people.
I like this new development, the senators are not from one state or LGA but all over Nigeria, so is batter than one man that will come whit tribalism mentality
A lot of things need to be restructured in this country