House to Present Constitution Review Report Next Week

The report of the Peoples’ Public Sessions (PPS) on the review of the 1999 Constitution conducted by the House of Representatives

in the 360 federal constituencies of Nigeria will be presented to the public next week.
The collated results of the exercise, which held on November 10, 2012, is expected to contain the views of the generality of Nigerians, who took part in the quasi-referendum on theconstitution.

The presentation of the report was postponed last January to allow lawmakers more time to verify that the results reflected the voting pattern in their various constituencies.
A statement Thursday from the Clerk of the House Ad hocCommittee on Constitution Review, Mr. Chinedu Akabueze, said the results will show the voting pattern on all the issues itemised in the template sent to all the federal constituencies duringthe exercise.

According to him, the public presentation of the report isin keeping with the promise made by the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, that the House will make the public sessions and the entire constitution amendment process transparent and participatory.
The public presentation of the report is expected to attract some high profile dignitaries and representatives of civil society organisations.

Those expected at the event include the Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Chibuike Amaechi; Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly); President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); President, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON); President, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and President, Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Others include President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); President, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT); President, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS); President, National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE); President, NigerianUnion of Journalists (NUJ); President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); President, Nigerian Youth Council (NYC) as well as representatives of women organisations.