By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Senate President Ahmad Lawan says the National Assembly (NASS) has no predetermined position on plans to amend the 1999 Constitution fueled by public agitation for a more equitable Nigerian structure.
He bared his mind after reading out at Senate plenary a letter signed by Constitution Review Committee Chairman, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, to announce the composition of the panel on a two-day public hearing across the six zones.
Lawan said the public hearing would enable Nigerians to make submissions on any issue, which the NASS would prioritise for the welfare and security of citizens.
“This is a very important exercise for our country,” he stressed, and urged all Nigerians to present any matter they think the Senate Constitution Committee should address.
“Go to the centre nearest to you. We are open, we are plain, we don’t have any preconceived or predetermined position on anything.
“The numerous issues that Nigerians feel should to be addressed to make Nigeria better, to make citizens secured, and enhance the welfare of our people are topmost in our consideration,” Lawan said.
“Because of this so important assignment, by this very important Committee of the Senate, the Senate will suspend plenary throughout next week.
“This is to enable not only the committee members, but the rest of us who are not even members of the Constitution Review Committee, to participate in the exercise.
“Once again, we wish our committee on the review of the constitution the best of outing, and Nigerians should take every possible opportunity to be there to present whatever they feel strongly about on how this country could be better. [And] we are welcoming every suggestion and issue.”
The public hearing is scheduled to hold at two centres in each zone between Wednesday May 26 and Thursday May 27, 2021.
North Central
Jos centres consisting of Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue States is chaired by Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Minna centre comprising Niger, Kwara, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is chaired Senator Abdullahi Aliyu.
North East
Bauchi Centre (Bauchi, Yobe, and Borno), chaired by Senator Abubakar Kyari; and Gombe Centre (Gombe, Taraba, and Adamawa), chaired by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje.
North West
Kaduna Centre covers Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina is chaired by Senator Kabiru Gaya; and Sokoto Centre spanning Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara is chaired by Senator Muhammed Aliero.
South East
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu chairs Owerri Centre comprising Imo and Abia; Enugu Centre which covers Enugu, Ebonyi, and Anambra, is chaired by Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
South South
Asaba Centre stretching from Delta, Edo to Bayelsa is chaired by Senator James Manager; Port Harcourt Centre consisting of Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom is chaired by Senator Betty Apiafi.
South West
Lagos Centre covers Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun, chaired by Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Akure Centre caters for Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti, chaired by Senator Ajayi Boroffice.
