CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT: NASS okays autonomy for Local Governments, Judiciary, rejects immunity for Senate President, Speaker
The Senate on Tuesday voted for the proposed amendments to the 1999 constitution granting financial autonomy to State Houses of Assembly, Judiciary and Local Governments.
In the electronic vote on the floor, 83 senators voted for financial autonomy to state houses of assembly and judiciary, while one senator voted against it.
92 senators voted in favour of the proposed amendment to the local government financial autonomy, while two senators voted against it.
The Red Chamber rejected a proposed amendment to change the name of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State to Gwul.
In the voting, 67 senators voted for the proposed change of name, while 28 voted against it.
The proposal failed to meet the required two-third membership.
For any vote to pass, it must meet two-third majority on the floor of the senate.
…rejects immunity for Senate President, Speaker
The National Assembly has rejected a constitutional bill seeking to expand immunity to the presiding officers of the national assembly.
The bill also sought to extend the immunity privilege to the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The proposed legislation is titled: ‘A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Expand Immunity to the Legislative and Judicial Arms of Government; and for Related Matters.’
The house of representatives special ad hoc committee on the review of the 1999 constitution had recommended immunity for presiding officers of the national assembly and judicial officers.
Presently, only the president, vice-president, the 36 governors and 36 deputy governors enjoy immunity.
Using the electronic voting system during plenary on Tuesday, 185 members of the house of representatives voted in favour of the bill while 111 voted against it — and five lawmakers abstained.
At the upper legislative chamber, 50 senators voted against while 29 voted in favour of the bill.
The national assembly is voting on the amendments to the 1999 constitution, with 68 constitutional bills up for consideration.
