Members of the House of Representatives, yesterday,
unanimously rejected a Bill which sought to empower the National Assembly to
impeach state governors and their deputies.
The bill, jointly sponsored by Edward Pwajok from Plateau
State and Ali Isa JC from Gombe State, respectively, sought to amend the
Constitution, to give the National Assembly powers to remove a state governor
or deputy “in appropriate circumstances.”
The proposed legislation, entitled “ A Bill to alter
the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to delete the
proviso to Section 11(4) of the Constitution to enable the National Assembly to
remove a Governor or Deputy Governor of a State in appropriate circumstances
and for other related matters,” was generally condemned by House members.
Leading debate on the bill, Pwajok argued that since the
Constitution empowers the National Assembly to take over functions of state assemblies
under certain circumstances, the Constitution should also be amended to enable
the federal legislature sack a state governor or deputy governor, whenever the
needs arise.
“Why should we be able to remove the House of Assembly and
not be able to remove the governor,” he contended.
Speaking on the bill, House leader, Femi Gbajabiamila described it as “patently defective” and an act of legislative overreach.
Speaking on the bill, House leader, Femi Gbajabiamila described it as “patently defective” and an act of legislative overreach.
Gbajabiamila added that allowing the bill will be tantamount
to turning the country into a unitary state.
“ Our constitution tells us that we run a federal system. Allowing this bill will make this country like a unitary system. Why are we wasting legislative time” It will be dead on arrival in the states. No matter how you try to justify it. It does not make moral or legal sense.”
“ Our constitution tells us that we run a federal system. Allowing this bill will make this country like a unitary system. Why are we wasting legislative time” It will be dead on arrival in the states. No matter how you try to justify it. It does not make moral or legal sense.”
Overwhelmed by the barrage of condemnation against the bill,
Pwajok eventually withdrew it.
However, he said he was happy that the bill succeeded in stirring the federalist ideas of members and prayed that the same spirit will be displayed in other issues on the country’s federalism.
However, he said he was happy that the bill succeeded in stirring the federalist ideas of members and prayed that the same spirit will be displayed in other issues on the country’s federalism.
Following its withdrawal, Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, who
presided at yesterday’s plenary, said debate on thte bill never took place.
Earlier, Lasun announced that henceforth, bills seeking alterations to the 1999 Constitution will no longer be entertained on the floor.
Earlier, Lasun announced that henceforth, bills seeking alterations to the 1999 Constitution will no longer be entertained on the floor.
He said this was to enable the Special Ad-hoc Committee on
Review the Constitution to complete its assignments in good time.
The deputy speaker, who chairs the Constitution Review
Committee, said the committee wants the new Constitution to be ready for the
president’s assent before the end of the third year of the present
administration.
“We want to conclude work on the Constitution so that whatever amendment, will not be said to have political undertone,” Lasun said.
“We want to conclude work on the Constitution so that whatever amendment, will not be said to have political undertone,” Lasun said.
By Ndubuisi Orji and Kemi
Yesufu
