By Perpetua Onuegbu
The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a CSO has called for the establishment of State Police and impeachment of politicians that defect from their parties to ensure stability and strengthening of the nation’s democracy.
Mr Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director, PLAC consultant working on the proposals from the national assembly on constitution amendments made these recommendations at a Public Hearing on Monday in Abuja.
He said this in his address at the National Public Hearing on Constitution Alteration adding that the proposals included granting full autonomy to local governments.
“Creating state police with safeguards against abuse, expanding the functions and tenure of local councils, and recognising traditional rulers through the establishment of six advisory councils across the country.
“One of the major highlights of the review is the push to hold all elections:presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly on the same day.
“Also considering the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to prosecute election violators, as well as a Political Parties Regulation Commission.
“On electoral justice, the amendments propose strict timelines for resolving petitions before swearing-in, with presidential disputes going directly to the Supreme Court while other cases terminate at the Court of Appeal.”
He also added that several human rights-related amendments were also presented, which included equal citizenship rights for spouses regardless of gender.
“A ban on the parade of criminal suspects by security agencies (now classified as torture), and the commutation of death sentences to life imprisonment for pregnant women convicted of capital offences.
“In addition, the review seeks to address issues of political stability and accountability. Proposals include clearer provisions against cross-carpeting by elected officials which should be subject to impeachment.
“Ensuring treaties signed by Nigeria receive National Assembly approval within 180 days, and reforms to enhance women’s representation in governance.”
The executive director of PLAC commended the lawmakers and members of the Constitution Review Committee for their leadership.
He also urged broad advocacy to secure support from the required two-thirds of federal and state lawmakers.
“These amendments are designed to secure grassroots governance, ensure fair elections, strengthen accountability, and stabilise Nigeria’s democratic order,”Nwankwo said.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review said there were 87 proposed amendments to the constitution.
Kalu said the public hearing was organised so as to give the citizens a voice in the amendment process.
According to him, each in response to the founding needs and expressed desires of the Nigerian people, organised around the central pillars of a modern, functional, and just society.
“In other words, these proposals do not simply represent the agenda of the legislature. Instead, they are, first and foremost, the top-up demands, goals, and memoranda of the Nigerian people themselves.
“Gathered through extensive regional dialogues, and properly focused public hearings held across the nation. It is, therefore, essential that the process be transparent, participatory, and fair.
“This national public hearing is to remove every experience of not being heard, in good faith, that the final product of this process belongs not to the parliament, but is accepted by all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Kalu said.
The proposals are expected to be debated in plenary sessions of both chambers in the coming weeks before being transmitted transmitted to state assemblies for concurrence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that citizens and representatives, of women groups, traditional institutions, CSOs, Media, Security and Intelligence agencies, Youth groups, Political Parties representatives among others were in attendance. (NAN)