Speech Delivered by the President of the Senate at the Inauguration of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Constitutional Review

Protocol:

It is my honour, distinguished colleagues to inaugurate the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Constitutional Review today.

The 1999 Constitution was indeed, a bold and innovative attempt to come to grips with some of Nigeria’s most fundamental and pressing problems of the time. This Constitution has taking us thus as a united indivisible nation. As the blueprint of our developmental aspiration, there is a developing national consensus that the constitution as presently constituted requires realignment with our political, economical, fiscal and social reality, to bring it in turn to deal with our emerging Nigeria 21st century challenges.

It would be recalled that the 7th National Assembly had done a good job of obtaining national consensus on key challenges to the operation of the constitution and the utilisation of the constitution as the coherent framework for our development as a nation through its work on the 4th Alteration Bill. This is why I urge the committee to, in the first instance, concentrate on the 4th Alteration Bill and conclusively address it before dealing with other proposals.

This current review is an attempt by the 8th National Assembly to cement and exhaustively conclude the process of the 4th Alteration Bill which is essentially hinged on strengthening our constitutional democracy, entrenching our unity and widening the remit of institutions that enable the implementation of development plan, respect for the Constitution and the observance of the rule of law as our primary objective.

Having acknowledged the immense work of the 7thNational Assembly under the fourth alteration bill, the Senate expects you to swiftly consolidate the 4thalteration bill for passage as it has already garnered national consensus. We expect that within the next few days you will forward the consolidated bill, have itgazetted and forwarded for first reading.

The Senate expects that a good liaison is forged early enough with the House of Representatives’ Committee on this all important project, with a view to reducing areas of disagreements and conflicts. It is equally crucial that all stakeholders’ opinions are fully considered especially the Executive.

Let me reemphasis the need for prudence and efficiency. This is not time for jamboree tours or unnecessary flamboyance. While acknowledging the need for a very comprehensive and exhaustive review of the proposal, it wont be an excuse for excessive elaboration and endless retreats. Nigerians expect that this is not going to end without result. More than what has been done in the past, we must make a difference. It is our hope that this assignment can be completed by end of June 2016.

You have to learn from the past efforts that you cannot take on all issues at once. There are many issues but what is important now is what you should concentrate on. Now is also the best time as the political atmosphere favours this exercise.

This Senate has confidence that you have the capacity and experience to discharge your duties with responsibility and probity.

May I use this opportunity to commend the Clerk of the National Assembly, National Assembly Management and distinguished Senators who have worked to ensure that this inauguration is achieved. I wish the committee success.

I hereby inaugurate the 8th Senate Ad HocCommittee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

Thank you.

Senator (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki CON
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND CHAIRMAN
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY