Civil Society Organisations, (CSOs) in the country are currently raising concern on some of the bills being considered in the constitution review by Nigerian Federal lawmakers, describing them as ‘toxic’ to the nation’s democracy.
They argued that such laws rather than deepen the nation’s democracy even poses greater danger to the nation’s democracy, pointing out that the National Assembly should not seek for immunity for members under various forms of trail, in order not to undermine democratic tenets.
They made their position known in a meeting which was convened by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), with the support of DFID through Christian aid Nigeria,in Abuja raising concern in the 33 bills being considered by the National Assembly in it’s on going constitution review process.
Otive Ibuzor, the Executive director of Centre LSD said: “The Civil Society Organisation are concerned that the National Assembly have voted for 33 items in the on going constitution review process,as some of them don’t have impact on the lives of the people,rather seeks to increase the powers of the Senate”
He said,”We are concerned that the Senate is increasing its powers. Thus, they want their leaders to be in the national council. They want immunity from prosecution. They want if they pass a bill,if the Executive does not assent to it within 30 days,the bill becomes Law.We are worried about all these.”
He also pointed out that women in governance is not getting the right kind of attention it needs,noting also that Nigeria has one of the lowest percentage globally as regards women in governance.
The percentage of women in Nigeria is about 6-7%. The average in Africa is over 20%. In Rwanda,it is 50%.Nigeria should be doing things to improve women participation in governance, he states further.
Also speaking, Rommy Mom, President of Lawyers Alert while lauding the passage of the autonomy of the Local government by the Legislatures, noted that parliamentarians should make laws that would help them build democracy rather than seeking to enjoy some executive privileges.
“Am also worried that the parliamentarians are seeking immunity,and wants to be in National Council of state.They should make laws that enhance seperation of powers so that there would be checks and balances”he said.
”There is a reason why there is immunity for an Executive,for it is just one person,as such if he has so many law cases, he could be distracted. But there over 400 parliamentarians,and so if they all have immunity,it undermines the democracy. For instance,Saraki was on trial recently,and the institution was still running.
Managing director of Emerald International Development Services LTD Ejiro Otive also posited at the event that the time for affirmative action is now,while urging the National Assembly to re-present the gender eqaulity bill initated by Senator Abiodun Olujumi to address the gender gap in Parliament.
She states further that the time for affirmative action in Nigeria is now and countries that have encouraged more women participation in governance had faired better on issues of governance examples are the Scandinavian countries; Norway, Sweden with high development index.
”Looking at the number of women in parliament as against the number of men,the figure is simply embarrassing,and to state the fact that 14 states out of the 36 states of the Federation don’t have women representatives in the various states houses of Assembly even makes it even more worse” she said.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
