By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Civil rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), has added his voice to many Nigerians who believe that the Constitution Amendment embarked upon by the 9th National Assembly (NASS) is a clear way of diverting the attention of majority of Nigerians who desire a brand new ‘People’s Constitution’.
He also accused the political class of insincerity just as he slammed the Executive and Legislative arms of government of insensitivity of the plight of majority of Nigerians.
Speaking on Friday on Channels Television breakfast programme Sunrise Daily on the topic: “Constitution Amendment Exercise”, Adegboruwa dismissed the on-going Constitution Amendments exercise being carried out by NASS with a wave of hand.
According to him: “I beg to disagree with the National Assembly for embarking on Constitution Amendments exercise. It’s a waste of time, scarce resources and at best a deception and manipulation of the Nigerian people.
“What Nigerians need is a brand new Constitution which will reflect the views of all Nigerians. This Constitution Amendments exercise is not the way to go. NASS members are insensitive to the mood of the nation”.
The Lagos lawyer who was on the same national television programme accused NASS members of playing the ostrich even as he insisted that many of them cannot in good conscience say that they are feeling the security challenges in Nigeria today.
Said he: “NASS members including the Honourable Member sitting in the studio cannot swear that they travel around their constituencies or drive themselves in their cars round their constituencies? Let them not deceive anyone that all is well in Nigeria today”.
Adegboruwa therefore recommended the convocation of the ethnic nationalities to discuss and fashion out a brand new Constitution for Nigeria and Nigerians.
However, Abdulrazak Namdas, Chairman, House Committee on Army who was on the same programme disagreed with Adegboruwa and said NASS should be given the benefit of doubt to carry out the on-going Constitution Amendments exercise to its logical conclusion.
