By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja
The disagreement between the Senate and House of Representatives on constitution amendment is responsible for the continued silence by the governors of the 36 states of the federation on the matter.
The House of Representatives had warned the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to disregard the presentation by the Senate, saying the two chambers of the National Assembly had not harmonised their positions on the matter as claimed by the Senate.
Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of an extraordinary meeting of the NGF Wednesday night, chairman of the Forum and Governor of Zamfara state, Abdulaziz Yari, said the governors had resolved to invite the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, next week on the matter.
He said the governors were interested in leaving a legacy on the constitution amendment, especially in view of the endless agitations in the country.
“The meeting is just one item agenda, that is, the review of Nigeria constitution. If you can remember last time, the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, was here with us to brief us on the harmonized position of the two houses for the task schedule of the amendment of the Nigeria constitution. Because of its importance, we decided to hold this extra ordinary meeting so that we could deliberate.
“We had actually wanted to invite the Conference of Speakers so that we can collectively look at what was submitted for the betterment of the nation. As we agree the constitution is being amended for posterity and not for any other interest.
“Therefore, the information we have from the House of Representatives is that the position is Senate position, it is not harmonised. So, probably by next week, that is, on the 18th, the Speaker of the House of Representatives or his representative will come and make his own presentation to us so that we look at it.
“By the way, there are so many issues of national interest, devolution of power, political agitations were not taken into considerations in that amendment. We as governors we are looking at it as important so as to take the interest of the nation at heart and so that we can move the country forward,” he said.
