Review of the 1999 Constitution: Edo State Deputy Governor, Shaibu, Speaker Onobun, Others Unanimous On Gains Of Amendment

The Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly Rt.Hon. Marcus Onobun says Nigerians quests for gender equality, Restructuring, Power devolution and Electoral reforms are achievable through review of the 1999 Constitution.

Hon. Marcus stated this at the State Summit on the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
The State Summit on the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on the Review of the 1999 Constitution is to harness opinions of stakeholders towards amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

Hon. Marcus Onobun said as a constitution building process, laudable reforms and reviews on the 1999 Constitution is expected at the end of deliberations.

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu said the position of the state in the proposed constitutional amendment will be of interest to all.
He suggested a three-month timeline for the amendment to achieve desired results.

Chairperson on FIDA Edo State Lryn Omorogiuwa proposed 39 legislative seats for women in the Senate, 126 in HOR and 8 in State Houses of Assembly in line with the 35percent affirmative action for women.

Com. Austin Osakue who spoke for civil societies advocated a review of the federal system of government, review of human rights violations perpetrated by the Nigerian Police amongst others.

NBA, Benin Branch represented by Prof. Job Odion proposed the establishment of an electoral offences commission and special courts to deal with incidences of electoral offences.

Chairman CAN Edo State Bishop Oriname Oyonnude-Kure recommended restructuring while the Catholic Archbishop of Benin Dr Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Prof. Eric Okojie proposed electronic voting.

Olokpe of Okpe on behalf of the traditional institution spoke on the need to strengthen the role of the traditional institution in the affairs of the Nation through constitutional backing.
Others who spoke include former Speakers, EDHA, Hon. Friday Itulah, Hon.Francis Okiye and Hon. Matthew Egbadon, former Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase and Prof Eddy Erhagbe of the University of Benin made their contributions through zoom.

Resolution from the summit is expected to be transmitted to the Speaker Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun ahead of Wednesday’s meeting of the South-South zone in Asaba, Delta State.