Northern Elders Forum has lambasted the National Assembly over its planned constitution review, saying it’s a waste of resources, time and dissipation of energy.
NEF urged the National Assembly to direct its energy to convincing President Muhammadu Buhari to stop insurgency in the North-East; violence and killings in most parts of North-Central and North-West and other parts of the country.
NEF Director (Publicity and Advocacy), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, stated these at a press conference in Abuja.
Baba-Ahmed said, “Since 1999, past National Assembly spent huge amount of Nigerian people’s money on jamborees that gave them false hope that the three arms of government respect the overwhelming desire of Nigerians for a holistic and genuine review and amendment of the 1999 Constitution.
“The NEF is convinced that this repetitive initiative of the Senate is of no value and a predictable waste of time.
“Nigeria’s future rests largely on its willingness to address major constraints to equity and justice, a functional structure, consistent good governance, security for all citizens, a credible electoral process, growing understanding between and among all groups and an economy that grows and narrows inequalities between and classes and regions.
“Forum advises the National Assembly to direct its energy and mandate towards convincing President Muhammadu Buhari to bring an end to the insurgency in the North-East and killings in most parts of North-Central and North-West and other parts of the country.
“It advises the Senate to jettison the wasteful idea of giving Nigerians the impression that it is involved in a serious review of our constitution.”
NEF rather recommended the alternative of leaders of thought, elders, groups and professional organisations and representatives of government to freely discuss every element of the co-existence as a country under principles of voluntarism, genuine representation, mutual respect and integrity of the process.
