Lawmakers Lack Power To Replace 1999 Constitution – Senate Deputy President

The Deputy President of the  Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, on Wednesday responded to Nigerians who have been clamoring for the 1999 constitution to be abolished. 

In a statement seen by Grassroots.ng, the lawmaker who is also the Chairman of the Senate ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review said the National Assembly lacks the powers on such an issue. 

He explained that the National Assembly had no powers to replace the current Constitution but that it could only amend it.

He said the advanced democracies like the United States of America where Nigeria’s presidential system of government is fashioned after, also engage in piecemeal amendments.

He also said Sections 8 and 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), equally made provisions for piecemeal alteration of the Constitution.

He, therefore, urged those calling for a new Constitution to channel their energy towards participating actively in the ongoing amendment of the Constitution by the  9th Assembly.