Senate yesterday received the Ike Ekweremadu-led Senate Committee Report on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, which was laid on the table for debate until its resumption from its two weeks mid-term break.
Meanwhile, an insight into the report reveals the rejection of state police in preference for “critical look at the current federal police system with a view to sanitising and strengthening the system.”
The committee also noted that to strengthen legislature’s authority and enable timely passage of laws, a new sub-section 5(a) into Section 58 thus: “Where the president neither signifies that he assents or withholds assent, the bill shall at the expiration of 30 days becomes law”.
It recommended a 6-year single term for Mr. President and governors while elevation of vice president/deputy governor to complete his principal’s tenure on exit before expiration of term, shall deny him of re-contesting for the office for another term.
136(2): “Where a vice-president-elect or vice-president succeeds the president-elect or the president in accordance with subsection (1) of this section, he shall not be eligible to contest for the office of the president in any subsequent election”.
Moreso, the CRC rejected insertion of rotational presidency, compulsory implementation of NASS resolutions and approved investigative reports in the Constitution.
The draft constitution further created and separated the office of attorney general from the minister of justice (for federal government) and commissioner for justice (at state level).
Despite earlier rejection of financial autonomy by state Houses of Assembly, the Ekweremadu committee recommended that the Assemblies, Attorneys-General, Auditors-General and State Independent Electoral Commissions get their funding directly from the state Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Also recommended to enjoy financial autonomy at the federal level are the Attorney-General and the Auditor-General of the Federation respectively; National Human Rights Commission, and Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
They also recommended removal of state and local government joint account from the Constitution; and introduction of an elected Mayoral system of administration for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.