THE Senate, on Tuesday, commenced its final debate on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution, with an assurance by Senate President, David Mark, that the senators would vote on Thursday on the amended version of the constitution.
In an exercise that lasted more than three hours, virtually all the senators present kicked against the single term tenure proposed for the president, governors and their deputies by the Senator Ike Ekweremadu-led Constitution Review Committee.
While the lawmakers unanimously agreed that financial autonomy would fast-track development at the local government level, they vehemently expressed their opposition to the six-year single term tenure, saying allowing it would only lead to the entrenchment of dictatorship and a regime of disrespect for transparency.
The senators were also unanimous in their resolve against the removal of immunity clause for the president, governors and their deputies as recommended by the constitution review committee.
Other amendments to the constitution that enjoyed overwhelming support of the lawmakers included financial autonomy for the Auditor General of the Federation, which Senator Lawan described as “a worthwhile amendment.”
However Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe cautioned his colleagues against the danger of removing the state and local government joint accounts, stressing that it would not solve the problem.
The debate on the report of the constitution amendment continues today and would be rounded up tomorrow.
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