Reps adopt new procedure for constitution amendment

The House of Representatives on Thursday adopted a special procedure which it intends to use as a guide on members' attendance during the proposed constitution amendment.

The formula, which the house chose independent of the Senate, will expectably serve as a guide to the "internal activities" of the house, the Chairman, House Committee on Business and Rules, Ita Enang, said.

Both chambers have disagreed with each other on the code of behaviour relating to the constitution review process, and said they will go ahead on individual exercises.

The decision becomes the most visible indication of the representatives' seriousness to the process that has stayed too long.

Mr. Enang sponsored the motion that drew opposition from some members who said they fear breaching the constitution which already makes provisions from such amendment process.

"Section 9 of the constitution subsection 2 says an Act of the amendment of the proposal must be supported by two-third majority of the members as required by the constitution," Mr. Enang said. "The motion will address at what stage we need the majority." Betty Apaifi said the aim of the motion was to simplify the procedure for the House on the issue of constitutional amendment.

"It is specific on what is expected of us concerning the amendment. For instance, if we are 100 on the floor, is two-third of that number enough?" Some members said that will be a duplication of the provisions of section 9(2) of the constitution and again cannot stand since it is sponsored as a motion.

"The amendment of the constitution in part is wrong," said Jakada Kiru. "It is not proper to propose the amendment of the constitution through a motion." Tsengu Tsegba, said the Constitution is an important document and that this was the reason it provides very strict conditions for its amendment.

"If it was easy to amend, the third term agenda of the former president Olusegun Obasanjo would have sailed through." Amongst those who spoke in support of the motion were: Mohammed Monguno, Joseph Idagie, Samson Osagie, Sadiq Mohammed, Shehu Matazu and Nkiru Onyegocha.

Amongst those who spoke against the motion were: Shuaibu Abdullahi, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, John Enoh, Independence Ogunewe, Stanley Ohajuruka and Jumoke Okoya-Thomas.