Tam David-West: Senate only proposing… to amend constitution is not a play thing

Tam David-West, former minister of petroleum resources, says the ongoing changes to the 1999 constitution by the national assembly are mere proposals and not amendments.

David-West, who said this in an interview with The Sun, noted that the constitutional amendment cannot be successfully executed without the input of the state houses of assembly.

The elder statesman said the efforts of the lawmakers would be null and void if they don’t follow the legal path to modifying the constitution.

“We have to go to the fundamentals. Constitution is not sacrosanct. Constitution can be reviewed, and that is why every constitution has provision on how to review it,” David-West said.

“How to alter provisions of the constitution is clearly written there. So, whatever the senate is doing, to me right now, is just a proposal. So, being a sacred fundamental document of the state, to alter it cannot just be like a play thing.

“So, being a sacred fundamental document of the state, to alter it cannot just be like a play thing.

“Every constitution gives very stringent conditions, so even if I accept that constitution can be changed with time, provisions can be changed with time, but even after saying that, I feel sorry for Nigeria.

“They cannot, the senate cannot in Abuja alter the constitution. So, all that they are doing is nothing more than proposal to change.

“I will like to believe that the senators read the constitution because as a lawmaker, you must have read your constitution. If a senator does not read the constitution, it’s like saying a Christian does not read the Bible or a Muslim does not read the Quran.

“I’m not saying that some of the provisions they are making are not good.

“However, as good as it is, if it is 100 per cent good, and you don’t follow the legal way to change it, it is null and void. Good intention done in an illegal way is nullity. It does not mean anything. You must follow the right way.”

When reminded that the national assembly had met with the speakers of 36 states houses of assembly before the process began, the octogenarian said, “I know that they have met. But meeting the speakers is not the same thing as a whole house of assembly.

“The leadership of the national assembly had met the speakers, but the houses of assembly could as well throw out the bills. So, it is immaterial whether the national assembly has met with the speakers or not. They should follow the constitution.”

Reacting to the comment by Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi state, on President Muhammadu Buhari’s health, David-West said there was nothing miraculous about his recovery.

“For me, I knew that all they were talking negatively about Buhari is not true. I know his condition in London every week. A governor said Buhari is recovering miraculously, there is no miracle there,” he said.

“A miracle is something you never expected. I expected it. I knew all they were saying was wrong with him, is mischievous.

“I am confident that by the grace of God he will come back very early. I will be surprised if he doesn’t come back before the end of this month.”