The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development with support from DfID and in partnership with Christian Aid under her Voice to the People (V2P) project, will on Monday August 7, 2017 in Abuja hold a one-day CSO Strategy Meeting to discuss the implications of some of the bills stepped down by the National Assembly before they went on recess.
A release by the Programme Co-ordinator of the Centre, Ms. Victoria Udoh said the deliberations by the National Assembly on over 33 bills and the eventual passage of some of them in a bid to amending the 1999 Constitution, though falls within their purview, but wondered whether their actions are in the best interests of the citizenry.
She stated that attempt to review the 1999 Constitution based on certain observed gaps and the thorny question of legitimacy around it has been on for some time now, stating that the recent attempt on the 26th of July 2017 by both chambers of the National Assembly deliberating and passing over 33 Bills may not have reflected the wishes of the Nigerian people, especially in terms of affirmative action for women, restructuring (devolution of power) in the country, removal of the Land Use Act from the constitution etc. Adding that the way and manner the processes went allegedly shows that the leadership of the National Assembly have taken their decision apriori and used the logic of deputation to give the voting a human face.
She further said that the meeting has become imperative to enable CSOs community generate ideas and take joint position on the current outcome of the constitutional review process and prepare to engage the National Assembly after their recess.
She called on all meaning citizens to come out enmass and contribute to the discourse to achieve a position that will be beneficial to all.
