A motion to obtain the report of the 2014 National Conference with the aim of including it in the ongoing constitutional amendment process of the National Assembly was stepped down by the House of Representatives at plenary on Wednesday.
The House Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, who sponsored the motion, made reference to the reports of the 2014 National Conference and the report of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee on True Federalism chaired by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, saying that both would address the challenges being faced in nation.
He said the House was aware that the federal government instituted the National Conference on March 17, 2014 where about 492 delegates drawn from va rious segments, interest and professional groups of the Nigerian society brainstormed on how to build Nigeria into a more cohesive, viable and prosperous union.
He also noted that the conference made over 600 recommendations cutting across public service; devolution of powers and political restructuring; national security; trade and investment; energy; public finance and revenue generation; social welfare; politics and governance; and electoral reforms, among others.
However, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Idris Wase, in his contribution, faulted the motion, saying it was procedurally wrong.
According to him, the Constitution Review Committee had sent out notice, requesting inputs by way of memoranda from Nigerians, noting that it was obligatory for owners of the documents to submit them to the committee if they considered it necessary.
Reacting, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, asked Okechukwu if he was okay with the Deputy Speaker’s input even though the prayer of the motion was commendable.
Okechukwu agreed to withdraw it but added that the documents should be made available to the committee in the course of its sitting.
Speaking to journalists later, Okechukwu stated that he would ensure that the document was obtained at the committee level.
