The constitutional amendment bill on the power to summon the president and the governor has suffered a major setback as President Muhammadu Buhari has not agreed.
Buhari’s withholding of presidential assent to the Constitution amendment bill and 18 others was a source of concern for the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday.
The President on Friday last week, approved 16 of the 35 constitutional amendment bills sent to him for approval by the National Assembly.
Drawing the attention of the senators on the actions of the president, Lawan stated that out of the 35 constitutional amendment bills forwarded to the President in January for approval, only 16 were approved.
The most impressive of the 16 bills approved by him is the fifth amendment bill number 6 which makes provisions for the financial independence of the House of Assembly and the State Judiciary.
Others added are those who live in power devolutions in the area of moving Railway services, Correctional Centers, and power plants and distribution, from the exclusive list to the joint list.
However, he said the 19 Bills that were not approved, by the President, will still be vigorously pursued by both Chambers of the National Assembly for the purpose.
The first of the 19 bills that were not approved, by President Muhammadu Buhari, was the fifth amendment bill number 24, which sought an Act to Amend the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Allow for National and State Assemblies. The House of Assembly to summon the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and State Governors to answer Questions on issues that the National and State Assemblies have the Power to make.
Also, amendment bill number 7 seeking an Act to Amend the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to compel the people to obey or comply with the Summons of the Legislature, was rejected by the President.
Another is the fifth amendment bill number 29 seeking an Act to Amend the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the State of the Nation and State of the Nation Addresses by the President and the Governor.
Fifth Amendment Bill No. 22 seeking an Act to Amend the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Specify the time within which the President or a State Governor shall submit an Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly or the House of Assembly
Fifth Amendment Bill No. 30 seeking an Act to Amend the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Include Former Speakers of the National Assembly in the Council of State.
Fifth Amendment Bill No. 14 seeking an Act to Amend Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to transfer Fingerprints, Identification and Criminal Records from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List.
Fifth amendment bill number 18 seeking an Act to Amend the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Strengthen the Allocation of Revenue Mobilization and the Fiscal Commission to Ensure Compliance with Remittance of Accruals to and Disbursement of Revenue from the Federation Account. and Streamline the Procedure for Reviewing the Revenue Allocation Formula.
Fifth Amendment Bill No. 66 seeking an Act to Amend the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment and Functions of the Nigerian Security Core and Civil Defense Corps etc.