Whereas, we frown at non-adherence to proper procedure; however Conference of Nigeria Political Parties {CNPP} views the standoff between the Joint Constitution Review Committee Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; as PDP Hidden Agenda covertly plotted to scuttle the amendment of the 1999 Constitution.
If it is not a Hidden Agenda then the pain is that such a casual walk out over an important assignment, by members of parliament, is not only a national embrassment but a sad reminder to those who had lost faith in democracy that their welfare and security cannot be guaranteed.
Political observes had for the umpteenth time pointed out that the Peoples Democratic Party {PDP}, as the sole beneficiary of the skewed military fashioned 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will remain reluctant to amend or alter the Constitution.
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Accordingly, procedural error upon which the walk-out from ordinary retreat is predicated; in our considered view is puerile and infinitesimal when compared to urgent matter of national importance, epitomized by amendment of some sections of 1999 Constitution, which Nigerians earnestly yearn for; therefore there is more than meets the eye.
We had reasoned that in the absence of any other ulterior motive, patriotic law makers could have kept their eyes on the ball, keep the bigger picture in mind and speedily alter some sections of the Constitution that will deepen and sustain our vanishing democracy. The Constitutional Review is dead on arrival.
Who are the beneficiaries of the Third Schedule, Section 14 of the Constitution that mandates only the President to appoint Chairman and Commissioners of the Independent Electoral Commission or that retains characters like Professor Maurice Iwu, inspite of his gross misconduct? Who are the beneficiaries of a Unitary system in practice in the name of Federalism? Who are the beneficiaries of importation of petroleum products, rice and other essential commodities, thus concentrating wealth in few hands contrary to Section 16{2} of the Constitution? Who are the beneficiaries of the tragedy in the Niger Delta or the loss of over 400 lives in the Jos North local council election? Who are the beneficiaries of the gross unemployment, abject poverty or the high mortality rate in our dear country? Simple answer ,PDP leadership and their collaborators Corporate Nigeria , both that run crony capitalism.
CNPP had maintained that Peoples Democratic Party {PDP} stranglehold on power, obsession to consolidate One Party State and rule for 60 years, renders the 7-Point-Agenda and promises of President Umaru Musa Yaradua empty rhetoric and further exposes the inefficiency and corrupt motive of PDP leadership. No wonder why many lament the abandonment of the emergency on power, war against corruption and electoral reform , issues canvassed by President Yaradua at the inception of his regime, which could have endeared him to the people.
For the avoidance of doubt, PDP with over 700 State House of Assembly Members out of 880, 300 Federal House of Representative Members out of 360, 80 Senators out of 109 and 27 State Governors out of 36, an outcome of sham elections, could have conveniently amended some crucial sections of the 1999 Constitution to liberate and restore our democracy, if PDP is altruistic and not power drunk.
The question then is why it is taking PDP ten years to amend even a section of the Constitution that can guarantee True Federalism, Free and Fair Election, Freedom of Information et al. Or why is PDP with such amendment arsenal, reluctant to amend the Constitution in PDP’s family affair tradition? Or why can’t PDP put their house in order before getting to Minna, the venue of the retreat, to avoid putting spanner in the wheel of the amendment and embarrassing Nigerians? This shows the disconnect between PDP with the people and scant regard PDP has for Nigerians.
Moreso, when we remember that the USA, we usually emulate had never in the over twenty amendments of its 1787 Constitution amended two sections at a time. It had always been one section at a time as matters of urgent national importance arise. There were never elaborate ceremonies or orchestra of deception.
In Nigeria for the past ten years we had been drummed with orchestra of deception either a justification for squandering our commonwealth or pretense to be busy, via setting up of elaborate committees or probes with attendant fanfare; reports of which will never most of the time see the light of day.
Nigerians should wake up from slumber as those who claim to represent us are covertly making it impossible for our democracy to produce neither an Obama nor the free, fair and transparent election of Ghana which we all celebrate. How can the fine and alluring recommendations of the Electoral Reform Committee be implemented without constitutional amendment?
It is quite clear that PDP has covertly infused Hidden Agenda to scuttle the amendment hence hatching the exercise dead on arrival.
Consequently, we call on all progressive patriots to prepare for the 2nd All Politicians Summit, where we will take a decisive decision on how to stop the dangerous slide of our democracy to One Party Dictatorship.
Osita Okechukwu
National Publicity Secretary
CNPP
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