House to make public 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 the constitution.

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 hoc Committee 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 during the exercise.

According to him, the  public presentation of the report  is in 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.

According to him, 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, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ);  President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); President, Nigerian Youth Council (NYC) as well as representatives of women organisations.