By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Senators will this Thursday and Friday hold national public hearing on Constitution review and, going forward, also plan intervention to protect Nigerians against deteriorating insecurity North and South.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan announced the hearing at plenary on Tuesday, based on a letter addressed to him by Senate Constitution Review Committee Chairman, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
The national public hearing will hold at the African Hall of the International Conference Centre, Abuja. It comes after the public hearings in the six zones last week, which Lawan ranked a success.
He congratulated members of the Constitution Review Committee on the zonal hearings, saying, “the report we received has shown that in all the centres, the public hearings were quite successful.”
Lawan added: “I want to also appeal to Nigerians to take the opportunity of the national public hearing that will take place from Thursday. This is an effort that the National Assembly – particularly the Senate is attached to.
“We believe that we must do whatever is necessary to provide a platform for Nigerians to air their views, give their positions and canvass for whatever they feel would make our country better, and make governance more efficient and successful.
“Like I said before, we have no preconceived positions on anything and, therefore, this is for our citizens to take the opportunity.”
Intervention against insecurity
Also on Tuesday, the Senate received a formal request from President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm Major General Farouk Yahaya as Chief of Army Staff.
The request, announced the same day Lawan reiterated the need for interventions by the National Assembly (NASS) to protect Nigerians against heightening insecurity, was contained in a letter Buhari addressed him, which was read out at plenary.
Buhari said Yahaya’s appointment complies with Section 18 Subsection 1 of the Armed Forces Act 2004.
Yahaya replaces Major General Attahiru Ibrahim who died in a plane crash near Kaduna International Airport about two weeks ago.
Lawan made the point about intervention against insecurity after the Senate held one-minute silence six times during plenary to honour those who lost their lives to various forms of insecurity.
He said such interventions would be backed by collaborative efforts between the legislature, executive, and Nigerians to address security challenges.
His words: “Let me observe that we have observed about six one-minute silences and most of it was to pray for the repose of the souls of Nigerians who were murdered or killed by criminals.
“It is very important that we step up our legislative intervention in ensuring that we protect the lives and properties of Nigerians to reduce the incidence of one-minute silence.
“I believe that the Senate and, indeed, the National Assembly, working together with the executive and getting the support of Nigerians, we can bring the much needed succour to our people, and that is why we are here.”