From left: Hon. Beni Lar, Hon. Idris Wase and Governor Simon Lalong, during the public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Jos.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong advocated stiff penalties against anyone abusing the constitution so as to protect its sanctity.
Lalong who declared open, the public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution in Jos said the exercise is a worthy cause that needs to be supported by all Nigerians.
He said beyond amending the constitution, Nigerians must take interest in how the constitution is implemented to avoid abuses that end up creating distortions and leading to agitations for more amendments.
“My advice to the members of the National Assembly and indeed all Nigerians is to put strong safeguards in the new constitution to avoid the abuse of power.”
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“The situation where people flagrantly disobey, discard and ignore the provisions of the constitution should no longer be tolerated. We should ensure that those who temper with the provisions of the constitution are seriously punished.”
“No matter how frequently we amend the constitution, there may not be any difference if we fail to subject ourselves to its provisions. As citizens, we are the guardians and defenders of the constitution who can either make it work or fail by our actions or inactions.”
The Governor when the constitution is reviewed, no one should be allowed to live above it and no one should be put beneath it by those in power.
Earlier, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Idris Wase assured Nigerians that opinions of citizens will be given attention.
Mr. Wase who is the Chairman of the Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution said the committee is conducting the exercise with an open mind and will collate all positions of Nigerians for consideration by the National Assembly.
“We will do justice to all positions, Nigerians will not be taken for granted, popular opinions of citizens will be given attention…”
The North Central public hearing has citizens from Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa States and the FCT in attendance.
