The bill seeking to peg Bachelors of Science/Art, (Bsc/BA) or Higher National Diploma (HND) as minimum qualifications for persons who want to occupy the offices of Nigeria president, or governors, is at verge of approval by the House of Representatives.
The lower chamber of the National Assembly is also seeking to make a law that could make justifiable, lack of social infrastructure, such as health facilities, good roads, water, schools, among others, enshrined in chapter two of the 1999 constitution (as amended) so that citizens can have the right to take government to court in breech of the laws.
To that effect, two bills are currently seeking debate on the issue, soon; having scaled through the first reading.
The two bills are seeking alterations of the 1999 constitution (as ammended) to provide for new laws.
Exclusively obtained by Vanguard both bills are being sponsored by Ben Rolland Igbakpa representing Ethiope federal constituency of Delta State.
While the first bill titled, “A bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and for related matters constitution of the Federal Republic (fourth alteration) Bill, 2020, increasing the minimum educational qualification for president and governor”. The second one is also captioned “A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and for Related matters/constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (fourth Alteration) Bill, 2020; to make chapter of the constitution justiciable”.
The first bill is specifically demanding the alteration of sections 131 and 177 of the 1999 constitution.
However, the sponsor of the bill said the essence of the first bill, was to help put seekers and occupants of the higher officers to practically acquire high level of knowledge to be able to represent us at world stage and discuss issues verbally and eloquently without reading from written statement.
He said, “the bill seek to alter sections 131 and 177 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to raise a ban on the minimum educational qualification for election as both president and governor”.
Similarly, the second bill seeks to alter section 6(c) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, in order to make the fundamental objectives and directives principles of the state policy under chapter 11 of the 1999 constitution justiciable so that citizens can begin to approach the courts whenever there is breach in those sections.
The bill are expected to be listed for second reading in the House, soon
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
