By @Tonyebarcanista

In April 2015, former President Goodluck Jonathan declined assenting his signature on the 2015 proposed amended 1999 Constitution citing irregularities in its passage, whittling down the powers of the President by the legislators, and transferring some of these powers to themselves (and to the judiciary).

Three items featured in the 2015 Constitution amendment. They are;

1. LIFE PENSION for the Senate President, Speaker of Representative, Deputy Senate President, and Deputy Speaker of the House.

2. Immunity for the aforementioned office holders from arrest and criminal prosecution

3. Stripping of the President the power to assent or veto any constitution amendment. Meaning, they (legislators) should be the only players in the process.

Nigerians were lucky that the former President not only refused assent his signature but also approached the Supreme Court through the Attorney General of The Federation to halt the proposed bill, which the court did in May 2015.
http://m.guardian.ng/lead-story/supreme-court-stops-n-assembly-over-constitutions-amendments/


Now it appears that the legislators have 'gone mad' again by reviving such items in the ongoing constitution review.

THEIR IMMORAL DEMAND FOR LIFE PENSION
As at today, many states are having difficulty to meet financial obligations to state workers and execute projects, yet they are still mandated by their states law to pay huge money to former Governors and their Deputies in the name of pension irrespective of the offices these former state executives occupy after leaving office.

It is even funny that some of these Senators like Senate President Bukola Saraki, Sani Yerima, Muhammed Goje, Godswill Akpabio, George Akume etc were not only exGovernors but are heavy beneficiaries of the pension largesse at their respective state level chiefly due to the immoral pension that they proposed and signed into law when they were in office. Yet, they still want more money in the name of life pension to add to their already bloated financial war chest at the masses expense.

The non former Governors among them like Sen Ike Ekweremadu, who is the Chief leader of the proposal seem to want to join the train of those that are feeding fact (for life) on government resources.

Is it not immoral and wicked that after enjoying fat salaries and allowances while in office, the legislative leaders want to keep feeding fat outside office just like the former governors?

THE IMPLICATION IF PASSED
Should the legislators have their way, it means that SP Saraki will be entitled to DOUBLE life pension from Kwara state and federal government.

It also means that people like Governors Aminu Mansari and Saminu Tambawal of Katsina and Sokoto states respectively will be entitled to fat salaries/allowances as Governors, Life pension as Former Speakers, and life pension as former governors when they leave office.

This will also attract more outgoing governors to seek solace in the Senate and fight for SP or DSP offices to 'enlarge their coast'. This will also attract more former speakers and Deputies to seek election to be Governor or Deputy in order to legally enlarge their financial powerhouse. How sustainable is this?

Let us imagine that a former Speaker/deputy is elected to serve his state as Governor. After serving the state, he was further elected to go to the Senate and eventually made Senate President or Deputy Senate President. Then he moved up to emerge Presidential candidate or running mate to a candidate, and emerge victorious. What is the implication with respect to the controversial proposal?

It simply means the man will be entitled to life pension as former President/Vice, Governor/Deputy, Speaker/Deputy, and Senate President/Deputy. Who says politicians are not smart?

I'm sure that if this is allowed, it won't take long for Speakers and Deputies at state level to 'help themselves' out.

ON ISSUE OF IMMUNITY FOR NASS LEADERS:
In the first instance, the concept of immunity for governors and their deputies is irresponsible and absurd. Even the United States whose democracy we look up to don't have such arrangement. While we are calling for the stripping of Governors and Deputies of immunity, the legislators are coming with their own immunity demand.

Already, these legislators enjoy immunity from prosecution on anything they say or do on the floor of their respective chambers, why are they seeking for more if not that they have to protect their skeletons?

ON STRIPPING THE PRESIDENT OF ASSENT POWERS:
I think the legislators need to be reminded that the concept of democracy demands checks and balance. Stripping the President the power of Assent simply means introduction and promotion of legislative coup. They want to be the people to make laws and shove same laws down the throat of Nigerians via the instrument of the law. This is highly irresponsible of them, and won't be allowed to stay.

This is tantamount to legislative coup.

SECTION 9 OF THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE AMENDED:
Section 9 of the Constitution that deals with process of amendment of the 1999CFRN need to be amended to give the masses role to play in the amendment process.

Specifically, sub sections (2)and (3) that vest power to amend constitution on at least 2/3 members of both Chambers of the National Assembly, and resolution of at least 2/3 States Houses of Assembly should be amended by stripping the states legislators of such of power, and vesting same on the people through INEC organised and well monitored referendum.

This is the only true way Nigerians can be said to be part of the process.

HYPOCRISY OF SOUTHERN LEGISLATORS:
I shall end this piece by expressing disappointment in legislators from the southern region, specifically the southsouth and southeast.

Before the amendment kicked off, majority of these legislators including DSP Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Ben Murray Bruce of twitter fame, and several others were always quick to shout how restructuring and true federalism is best for the country. Instead of these people to be the chief promoters of restructuring and true federalism in this ongoing amendment, they preoccupy themselves with only amendments that would favor them. Very unfortunate...


Young people should explore all available social medium(Palmchat, Facebook, Nairaland, Twitter etc) to resist this amendment.




May God Bless Us All and Bless Nigeria

Fairytales:
Pls vote Mimzy for miss Nairaland, just type I vote Mimzy Cc NLjega
https://www.nairaland.com/3178760/miss-nairaland-contest-2016-elimination

Pls stop this spamming. Restrict your campaign to your threads. Thanks

Saraki want to toe the wrong path of his late father.He will go down 10 feet.

u want me to sit down b start reading all this thing
No ..I cant

Young03:
u want me to sit down b start reading all this thing
No ..I cant

Just read the part that "interest" you and walk away. Readers are Leaders..

God of mountain of fire fire all of them one by one. Set of useless people they already took 30 % of our budget and they want more again they will not even use the money to do anything nice for themselves. Awo ole.

these are not legislators but desperadoes. They want to mortgage Nigeria same way they mortgage their state to themselves

Brilliant piece.
Reminiscent of the old Barcanista.

The legislature can only succeed with their plans if we let them. I believe it's time for us the citizens to challenge some of the policies which we know are not in our favor irrespective of political affiliations.

Obviously the legislators aren't thinking party affiliations when proposing these laws they just want their common good. We the citizens should also as a matter of urgency jettison party leaning and fight for a common good

If only people like the op can comment more on the political discourse without the backing and support of any political party, just a 'matter of fact' manner, a new political awareness might just be achieved before we go the way of Venezuela.

TonyeBarcanista:

Just read the part that "interest" you and walk away. Readers are Leaders..

OK I will save the page and creat out time to read when am less busy

Connoisseur:
Brilliant piece.
Reminiscent of the old Barcanista.

The legislature can only succeed with their plans if we let them. I believe it's time for us the citizens to challenge some of the policies which e know are not in our favor irrespective of political affiliations.

Obviously the legislators aren't thinking park affiliations when proposing these laws they just want their common good. We the citizens should also as a matter of urgency jettison party leaning and fight for a common good

Nigerians will burn If they(Senators and Reps) are allowed to go on with such evil plan.

They don't remember party affiliation each time they consider proposal that benefits them.

TonyeBarcanista:

Just read the part that "interest" you and walk away. Readers are Leaders..

#NaSo

Whosoever append his signature to this madness should be treated as a coup plotter and taken to psychatric for brain surgery

temitemi1:

Lol....

make I call Lalasticlala come

This is preposterous. However I think we have a pitiable crop of leaders in this country.


There isn't even proper media sensitization of the ludicrous laws our so called legislators are proposing. If not for overly outrageous ones like this that make there way into the main stream media. Who knows, they maybe passing minor biased laws everyday.

Chuksemi:
This is preposterous. However I think we have a pitiable crop of leaders in this country.


There isn't even proper media sensitization of the ludicrous laws our so called legislators are proposing. If not for overly outrageous ones like this that make there way into the main stream media. Who knows, they maybe passing minor biased laws everyday.

My brother, it is unfortunate but it is the reality. Last year, while everyone was campaigning, these men passed ridiculous amendment. They are the problem of Nigeria

wasco24:

It's ironic they'd still need the president's assent before the strip him of the power to assent! One bust be a clueless and a dullard to do that. Since we escaped GEJ'S assent, am not worried I know PMB will never sign it. But to know those people are even plotting such a thing is infuriating!

EazyMoh:
It's ironic they'd still need the president's assent before the strip him of the power to assent! One bust be a clueless and a dullard to do that. Since we escaped GEJ'S assent, am not worried I know PMB will never sign it. But to know those people are even plotting such a thing is infuriating!

we also need to be on guard

Legislooters!

Kno

EazyMoh:
It's ironic they'd still need the president's assent before the strip him of the power to assent! One bust be a clueless and a dullard to do that. Since we escaped GEJ'S assent, am not worried I know PMB will never sign it. But to know those people are even plotting such a thing is infuriating!

It wasn't enough for them to override the president's assent, they want to take it away completely.

Its sad having this type of legislathives as our representative(both rep nd senate).tryna strip the president off his power of assent,where is that done.we really need to be on guard, drop party affliation nd speak against this dubious attitude.cause if they succed in striping off the president his power of assent we are done for.it pains me dat this so called legsliators are not satisfied with d fact that 30% of our budget is used to serve them.still they are asking for more.few week ago some member of house of rep were fighting dogora cause of car,few month ago saraki was distributing cars to member of national assembly like it's his father that own's bmw auto's company.

The aim of these people, especially the ex govs is to create a state of anarchy, steal all their state resources & come to their "retirement home" & just ball out, live large& thump their noses at the law...

Awon oloriburuku alaiyebaje to m'asofo!!

Are you expecting anything good from saraki's led house? Check his records in Kwara state, it speaks for itself.

Hmmm tonye again

Double post

POLITHIEFCIANS..

Very selfish demands... mitcheww..




They were voted to represent the peoples interest.. But their interest is all they went there for..

This is a shambolity we must reject this crass madness. You want to be judge and executioner in your own case. NASS are acting out of order.