The president says his administration will deliver a people-oriented document. | By Iferi Etuk
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure a prompt delivery of executive bills proposed to make the ongoing constitution amendment.
The House said its time line for the fresh constitution review was not open ended and hoped to complete the exercise in 2013 ahead of 2015 elections.
Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha said the House will not wait ?indefinitely? for the executive bills which may arise from the Alpha Belgore presidential committee on constitution review and urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to hasten the committee?s work and send its report in.
Speaking at the presidential retreat for civil society organisations and professional associations on the ongoing process of amending the 1999 constitution at the Presidential Villa, Ihedioha said the House is targeting the second quarter of 2013 to conclude work on an amended constitution for the country.
?As umpires in this process, it is our considered view that the House of Representatives at this stage should listen more to the Nigerian people rather than dictate to them,? he said.
Responding, President Jonathan said the federal government was committed to delivering to Nigerians a people-oriented constitution.
?I believe that a constitution worthy of our efforts must originate from the people themselves and bear clear imprint of their contributions,? he said. “Constitution making or review in a democracy should not be an elitist undertaking. It must be processed through a strategic and far-reaching consultation with the people. That is the spirit of democracy.
A constitution that can guarantee true democracy must flow from the ideas and experiences of the people, not just the people in the corridors of power, but also the people in the market places and in the public squares.”
