North-west Senate constitution review committee receives 77 memoranda – Gaya

Northw-est zonal hearing of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review concludes its sitting in Kaduna Thursday, as the committee said it has received 77 memoranda from governments, groups and individuals.


Chairman of the Committee covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, Sen. Kabiru Gaya disclosed this at the end of the two-day sitting of the hearing on Thursday. The committee said that while the hearing has ended, submissions can still be made to its Secretariat for the next two weeks. 


“We have received 77 memoranda from individuals and groups. We are so proud of the inputs and contributions, it has widen our horizon of what Nigerians needed. This platform created for constitution amendment is working well. It is worth it because Nigerians have raised observation on what they need. 


“We have representations of every state of the federation on the committee on Constitution review. We would bring the memoranda to the Senate floor for discussion and conclusion. Those that still want to submit memorandum can do that within the next two weeks.”


Also speaking, a member of the committee, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau while giving vote of thanks, said each of the submissions will be given thorough attention, noting that the Senators are only privileged to be first among equals as all Nigerians are equal citizens. 


Meanwhile, Zazzau Emirate Development Association (ZEMDA) has called for part time parliamentary system, unicameralism, devolution of powers, state police, local government autonomy and reforms and judicial and legislative autonomy. 

According to Zemda President, Engr. Hamish Abubakar, “while the present 36 states structure remain in place, the time has come to devolve powers to them from the centre which should be done by the National and State Assemblies by way of Constitutional amendments.


“Local government autonomy and reformation, and state police should be allowed but with a central body that will supervise and ensure inter-state harmony. A unicameral legislature should replace the current bicameral one. The new single chamber should have representatives based on the population on a pro-rata bases who should work on part-time basis and be paid accordingly.


“There should not be more than 37 ministers at the federal level and not more than 10 commissioners in each state. State houses of assembly should be made up of members according to the population of their constituencies; who should equally work on part time basis and be paid according to the number of sittings.”

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