Debate on constitution review bills stalled as reps protest unavailability of copies

The house of representatives has suspended the consideration of the constitutional amendment bills.

During Thursday’s plenary, lawmakers differed on whether the bills should be debated.

While presiding over plenary on Tuesday, Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker and chairman of the constitution review committee, said the bills would be debated on Wednesday.

However, on Wednesday, Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, said the bills would be considered on Thursday (today).

Voting on the bills was scheduled for next week, but with debate yet to begin, the process will face further delay.

THE DIVISION 

As the debate on the bills was to commence, Inuwa Garba, a lawmaker from Gombe, said not all lawmakers present had copies of the draft amendment.

Kingsley Chinda, the minority leader, supported Garba’s call to suspend the debate, saying members needed more time to properly study the constitutional amendment documents before proceeding.

“I’m asking for more time to study this amendment. It is a constitutional amendment, not a regular statutory bill, and we need to be fully prepared when we return. I support the application moved by honourable Inuwa,” he said.

Ado Doguwa, a ranking Kano lawmaker, said the house should proceed only when members have the required documents.

He noted that the matter had been scheduled earlier and urged the leadership to distribute copies immediately to avoid endless adjournments.

“Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. If there are enough copies of the documents, direct the clerk and sergeant-at-arms to distribute them immediately so every member has one. Otherwise, we will keep adjourning endlessly. Please treat this exercise with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.

Ibrahim Isiaka, deputy majority whip, said constitutional amendment is the most critical legislative function and requires careful handling.

He backed calls to step down consideration of the bills until all members had received the documents and were ready to resume debate next week.

“From what has been said so far, everyone seems to be making the same point: this is the constitution — the document that defines why we are here,” Isiaka said.

”I appeal that we step this down for today and ensure the document is circulated before the close of business tomorrow. Once that is done, we can fix a date next week and proceed without further delays.”

Auwalu Gwalabe, a legislator from Bauchi, argued that several proposed amendments — including state police and independent candidacy — require consultation with constituents and other stakeholders.

He said many members had not seen the documents and that debating them now would be premature.

“This proposed alteration to the constitution is extremely important. Some aspects require consultations with our constituents and leaders,” he said.

“We don’t even have the documents. Some of us have not gone through them. It would be too early to start the debate. I support that we stand it down.”

Bamidele Salam, chairman of the committee on public accounts, opposed further delay, warning that postponing the debate would waste more legislative time after years of preparation.

He said beginning the process, even with a few contributions, would show seriousness and prevent sending the wrong signal to Nigerians eagerly awaiting progress.

“This document has been with us for a few days. Nigerians have been waiting for this process for two and a half years,” he said.

”If we start today and only 10 members contribute, it is still progress. But if we postpone again, we lose the whole week and send the wrong signal to the public.”

Following various contributions by lawmakers, Kalu said the house was divided between those favouring immediate debate and those asking for a postponement.

He called for a voice vote, and lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the postponement of the debate.