Constitution review: Senate committee presents supplementary report

The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution on Tuesday presented a supplementary report to reflect the time for determination of pre-election matters.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Chairman of the committee, said the report covered issues not contained in the main report earlier presented to the senate.
“This report should be read in conjunction with the main report, which provides the context and key recommendations,” Ekweremadu explained.
He said the committee recommended alteration of Section 285 by stipulating a time limit within which pre-election matters should be filed and determined to ensure quick conclusion of such matters.
Ekweremadu said: “A court in every pre-election matter shall deliver its judgment in writing within 180 days from the date of filing of the suit.
“An appeal from a decision in a pre-election matter shall be filed within 14 days from the date of delivery of the judgment appealed against.
“An appeal from a decision of a court in a pre-election matter shall be heard and disposed of within 60 days from the date of filing the appeal.”
He said that the supplementary report also proposed the change of the name of some local governments in Ogun and Ebonyi States in line with the constitution.
He said that the committee recommended the change of the name of Egbado North and Egbado South Local Governments to Yewa North and Yewa South Local Government respectively.
According to the senator, the committee also proposed the change of the name of Afikpo South Local Government to Edda Local Government Area, while Afikpo North would be known as Afikpo Local Government.
Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday received President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for confirmation of the appointment of members of the Federal Character Commission.
The FCC nominees comprise 16 new members and seven others who are returning for a second and final tenure of five years.
The new members are Dr. Iboko Iboko (Abia), Adaeze Idigo-Izundu (Anambra), Dr. Shettima Abba (Borno), Henry Ezoke (Cross River), Chief Emmanuel Ebimami (Delta) and Dr. Nte Mbam (Ebonyi).
Others are Ojo Christopher (Ekiti State), Emeka Ani (Enugu State), Alhaji Musa Talle (FCT), Prof. Elijah Sokombo (Niger), Jokotade Odebunmi (Ogun) and Bukar Bello (Plateau).
Also included are Tonye Briggs (Rivers), Alhaji Nasiru Zarumai (Sokoto State), Juluis Kaigama (Taraba) and Salisu Jawi (Yobe).
Those to serve out their final five years term are Matthew Ukpong (Akwa Ibom), Alhaji Mamuda Gadam (Gombe State), Alhaji Saidu Adamu (Kaduna State) and Ahmad Ishaq (Kano State).
The others are Alhaji Sule Iyaji (Kogi), Chief Adebayo Williams (Lagos State) and Thomas Oyelade (Oyo State).
Jonathan also requested the confirmation of eight ambassadorial nominees, comprising seven career and one non-career diplomat.
The requests were consequently forwarded to the relevant senate committees for further legislative action.