Senate President David
Mark has urged proponents of sovereign national conference to forget it.
Mark has urged proponents of sovereign national conference to forget it.
He spoke at the 53rd
Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Calabar,
Cross River State.
Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Calabar,
Cross River State.
Mark, represented by
Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), said it was it was not feasible, until
the section on Constitution amendment is reviewed.
Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), said it was it was not feasible, until
the section on Constitution amendment is reviewed.
He said: “The 1999
Constitution (as amended) made provisions for its alteration. It did not make
provisions for any new constitution.
Constitution (as amended) made provisions for its alteration. It did not make
provisions for any new constitution.
“It is in answer to
the clamour for a new constitution by vocal sections of the polity that an
amendment to make provisions for how a new constitution can come about is being
contemplated.
the clamour for a new constitution by vocal sections of the polity that an
amendment to make provisions for how a new constitution can come about is being
contemplated.
“In making these
calls, suggestions for the process of making a new constitution have been made.
These range from a constitutional conference to a ‘Sovereign’ National
Conference.
calls, suggestions for the process of making a new constitution have been made.
These range from a constitutional conference to a ‘Sovereign’ National
Conference.
“The National Assembly
recognises the right of Nigerians to aggregate, assemble or meet in any
legitimate form or manner to discuss the affairs of their country and indeed
encourages such fora as it is a constitutional right.
recognises the right of Nigerians to aggregate, assemble or meet in any
legitimate form or manner to discuss the affairs of their country and indeed
encourages such fora as it is a constitutional right.
“A mark of such
encouragement is the elaborate public hearings that have become part of our
constitutional amendment process.
encouragement is the elaborate public hearings that have become part of our
constitutional amendment process.
“We, however, have
difficulties with the calls by certain sections of the polity for a ‘Sovereign’
National Conference.
difficulties with the calls by certain sections of the polity for a ‘Sovereign’
National Conference.
“The 1999 Constitution
(as amended) with all its imperfections, including its debatable origin,
remains our grundnorm, our supreme law from which all other laws derive and
expresses our sovereignty.
(as amended) with all its imperfections, including its debatable origin,
remains our grundnorm, our supreme law from which all other laws derive and
expresses our sovereignty.
“It creates all the
powers, institutions and authorities of the State to which we have all
submitted. We have challenged its provisions in courts of law established by it
and obeyed the decisions of these courts. We have therefore ratified the
constitution by our conduct. The 1999 constitution (as amended) is a reality.
powers, institutions and authorities of the State to which we have all
submitted. We have challenged its provisions in courts of law established by it
and obeyed the decisions of these courts. We have therefore ratified the
constitution by our conduct. The 1999 constitution (as amended) is a reality.
“Consequently, where
will the ‘Sovereign National Conference’ be deriving its sovereignty from, and
under what framework? How will the conference be convoked and by whom and under
what terms? I have been confronted by the argument that sovereignty derives
from and belongs to the people. This is certainly beyond argument.
will the ‘Sovereign National Conference’ be deriving its sovereignty from, and
under what framework? How will the conference be convoked and by whom and under
what terms? I have been confronted by the argument that sovereignty derives
from and belongs to the people. This is certainly beyond argument.
“How then do we get
the people to confer sovereignty on such a conference? There are intractable
issues to be addressed by the agitations for the ‘Sovereign National
Conference’ and that is why I subscribe to the proposal for an amendment to the
1999 Constitution to provide for the making of a new Constitution.”
the people to confer sovereignty on such a conference? There are intractable
issues to be addressed by the agitations for the ‘Sovereign National
Conference’ and that is why I subscribe to the proposal for an amendment to the
1999 Constitution to provide for the making of a new Constitution.”
Former Vice-President
Atiku Abubukar and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal also spoke
on the state of the nation at the event.
Atiku Abubukar and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal also spoke
on the state of the nation at the event.
Tambuwal said Nigeria
faces serious challenges of nationhood, adding that despite being blessed with
intellectual and material resources, the gap between the rich and the poor continue
to widen.
faces serious challenges of nationhood, adding that despite being blessed with
intellectual and material resources, the gap between the rich and the poor continue
to widen.
“In the face of
stupendous wealth, resources and potentials with which we could build a united
nation of prosperous people we are indirectly but gradually building two
nations in one: a nation of prosperity and affluence on the one hand and another
nation of poverty and squalor on the other, yet our desire and expectation is
nation building,” he said.
stupendous wealth, resources and potentials with which we could build a united
nation of prosperous people we are indirectly but gradually building two
nations in one: a nation of prosperity and affluence on the one hand and another
nation of poverty and squalor on the other, yet our desire and expectation is
nation building,” he said.
“We are, no doubt, a
people divinely gifted with intellect and wisdom, but the receiver of a gift is
at liberty to apply it in the manner he chooses.
people divinely gifted with intellect and wisdom, but the receiver of a gift is
at liberty to apply it in the manner he chooses.
“When we look around
us and behold how bountifully we are blessed as a nation, we cannot help asking
the question: Is it in our stars?”
us and behold how bountifully we are blessed as a nation, we cannot help asking
the question: Is it in our stars?”
Former Vice-President
Atiku Abubakar decried what he called a consistent and progressive
marginalisation of the vast majority of Nigerians.
Atiku Abubakar decried what he called a consistent and progressive
marginalisation of the vast majority of Nigerians.
The discrimination, he
said, is as a result of policies which encourage “inequitable interpersonal and
inter-regional distribution of opportunities.”
said, is as a result of policies which encourage “inequitable interpersonal and
inter-regional distribution of opportunities.”
Source: The Nation
