“Constitutional Review will lead to better Nigeria – Bagudu
…As Gombe governor flag-off process in Gombe center
“Constitutional Review will lead to better Nigeria – Bagudu
By Auwal Ilyasu, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor, Sen Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has assured that the proposed constitutional review will lead to a better Nigeria for all.
The Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum spoke on Wednesday in Sokoto center of the northwest zonal public hearing on the constitutional amendments.
Bagudu also stated that the exercise wouldn’t have come at a better time than now when the national life of Nigeria needs more dialogue on several issues.
He said: “We are happy that the hearing is coming at a time when more dialogue, more discussion is needed because there are many issues occupying the minds of many people across the country”.
According to him, the proposed review provides an ample opportunity for Nigerians to collectively brainstorm through the democratic tenets to move the country forward.
Meanwhile, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has flagged off the Northeast zonal public hearing in Gombe with a call for the constitution review to reflect views and wishes of Nigerians.
While describing the process of constitution amendment as the finest qualities of a functional democracy, the governor said that the constitution is a living document that has to be in tune with the views of people and realities.
He added that the constitutional review was necessitated by the social, political and economic changes being experience across the country.
“The Nigerian constitution begins with the words ‘We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’ because it captures the yearnings and aspirations of the overwhelming majority of our people.
Therefore, constitution amendment is a people-driven process. And since democracy is defined as government of the people, for the people and by the people; it is therefore important that all Nigerian people have a say on how the constitution is framed, how it is run and how it is maintained,” Governor Yahaya stated.
Speaking earlier at the event in Gombe, chairman of Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and Deputy Senate President, Sen Ovie Omo Agege, who was represented by the chairman of the North-east zonal sub-committee, Sen Muhammad Danjuma Goje, stated that the committee decided to adopt the bottom top approach in order to first listen to the hues and cries of Nigerians before having it at the National level.
He explained that the bottom top approach underscores the critical importance the constitution review committee places on sub national levels in the governance of Nigeria.
He said: “Surely and without a doubt the success of the review process will be the dependent and supportive pillar upon which the committee’s work is to be anchored that is why we deemed it prudent to meet with you first, in other words, this exercise is your own and I implore you to own it”.
“Constitutional Review will lead to better Nigeria – Bagudu
