Gbaja: Constitution review will address foundational deficiencies that hinder Nigeria’s prosperity

Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, says the ongoing constitution review will correct the “deficiencies” that hinder peace and prosperity in the country.

Speaking at the Conference of Presiding Officers of Nigerian Legislatures (COPON) in Abuja, Gbajabiamila said the constitution review process won’t succeed “without strategic collaboration” between all the state houses of assembly

According to him, the review process will offer the opportunity to “address the foundational deficiencies in our constitution that continue to mitigate against the attainment of an honourable, peace and universal prosperity in our country”.

“That process of constitutional review cannot succeed without strategic collaboration between all of us who are here today,” he said.

“So, I ask of you that we take the opportunity of this conference to agree on the things we wish to achieve so that we can begin now to devise the strategies through which we can achieve our objectives.”

Gbajabiamila also noted that the legislature remains the most important arm of government, because the lawmakers represent and speak for the people.

“​I believe that the legislature is the most important arm of the government. Some might say I am biased, having spent most of my political career in the legislature. And they will be right,” he said.

“But the fact remains that by design, it is only the legislator that has the constitutional obligation to come to work each day and advocate for the interests of the people on whose behalf we serve.

“This is both a high honour and a heavy responsibility. And I am pleased that at this time in our nation’s history, we have as presiding officers of parliament across the country, capable people who recognise the importance of this moment and are equal to the task of nation-building at this critical time.

“In governance, there is a role for the legislature. Unfortunately, in our clime, and perhaps in most climes, the role of the legislature is often conflicted and bungled together to include the role of the judiciary, the role of the executive, and even the role of a private organisation.

“We have to play all these roles as legislators. What I find solace in is the fact that this misconception and misunderstanding of the role of the legislature is a worldwide phenomenon. It is universal, and it is not peculiar to Nigeria alone.

“​As legislators, our ability to do what is required of us in this joint task of nation-building depends, in some measure, on how well we can work together within the federal legislature, and across the legislatures of the 36 states.”

Gbajabiamila added that when the federal lawmakers finish working on the documents on the constitution review, the national assembly will send copies of it to the state houses of assembly for their input.