of Representatives yesterday, after members of the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, rallied to frustrate the plan.
The House, however, pushed through amendments to the
constitution to compel the president to present an annual state
of the union address to the National Assembly.
Members of the House also voted to protect themselves by
providing immunity for legislators for words spoken in
parliament and also by removing the constitutional provision
that a lawmaker's seat becomes vacant whenever such a
lawmaker joins a government board or commission. By that
amendment, the door is opened for lawmakers to sit on
government boards and parastatals.
The plan to amend section 143 to simplify the impeachment
process of the president failed to scale through despite a
majority vote of 172 to 122 vote. The 172 who voted in
support, fell short of the two-third majority 240 of the total
number of members expected to vote in support of the
amendment of the constitution. The House has a full
complement of 360 members.
The proposal sponsored by Rep Yakubu Dogara, APC, Bauchi
was to amend the section via the simplification of the
impeachment process for chief executives at both the federal
and state levels of the federation.
PDP members were unusually united in voting against the
proposal, which ironically was the only one of the 19 clauses
that failed to pass through yesterday at a session that was
presided over by the deputy speaker, Rep. Emeka Ihedioha.
Voting on the amendment proposals was done by electronic
means using the voting machine.
Among other amendments passed through yesterday was a
proposal to provide life insurance for members of the National
Youth Service Corps, NYSC.
Section 67 (1) was amended to stipulate that the president
shall attend a joint meeting of the NASS once every year to
deliver an address on any issue in respect with the state of the
nation in a manner prescribed by NASS. All 293 members
voted unanimously for that provision across party lines.
Members also voted to amend section 285 to compel election
tribunals to deliver judgment within 160 days from the filing
of an election petition.
Following the vote, the deputy speaker, described the
successful voting on the clauses as a triumph of democracy
and demonstration of the resolve of the House to always put
national interest above all other considerations.
Ihedioha who is the chairman of the House adhoc committee
on the review of the constitution, also commended his
colleagues in the House for rising up to the challenge and
displaying patriotism by turning out in their numbers to
participate in the voting, saying the 7th House has by this
successful event once again showed that it is committed to the
wellbeing and welfare of all Nigerians.
Speaking shortly after the end of voting, the deputy speaker
said it is commendable to note that members of the House put
behind their individual, political, demographical and ethnic
differences to vote on the clauses in an objective manner and
in favour of the national interest.
The amendments are to be harmonised with those of the
Senate before being passed through the State Houses of
Assembly for adoption. Two-third of the states are expected to
adopt an amendment for it to become valid.
Also yesterday, spokesman of the House, Rep. Zakari
Mohammed said the House would commence deliberation on
the 2014 budget from next week.
Via: Vanguard
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