Gbajabiamila believes constitution review will address Nigeria’s foundational deficiencies

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for collaboration between the National Assembly and the 36 state Houses of Assembly to make the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution successful.

Gbajabiamila, who spoke at a meeting of the Conference of Presiding Officers of Nigerian Legislatures in Abuja at the weekend, noted that the constitutional amendments are to address Nigeria’s foundational problems.

He also stated that the legislature remained the most important arm of government in any democratic setting, according to a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, titled ‘Constitution review: Gbajabiamila Seeks Collaboration Between NASS, State Assemblies…Says Legislature Remains Most Important Arm of Govt.’

Gbajabiamila noted further that the intention of the “wholesale review of our nation’s constitution” was “using the constitutional amendment process to address the foundational deficiencies in our constitution that continue to mitigate against the attainment of an honourable, peace and universal prosperity in our country.”

He said once the National Assembly was done with its part, it would forward the constitution review document to state Houses of Assembly for their inputs.

The Speaker added, “That process of constitutional review cannot succeed without strategic collaboration between all of us who are here today. So, I ask of you that we take the opportunity of this conference to agree on the things we wish to achieve so that we can begin now to devise the strategies through which we can achieve our objectives.”
Gbajabiamila said by virtue of its roles, which includes coming together to protect the interests of the diverse people in the country, the legislature had a more direct and immediate connection with the people at the grassroots.