KONGONET calls for stronger constitution in Nigeria to boost development, progress

By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick, Kogi

Non governmental organizations, NGO’s, and Networks, in Kogi state, under the aegis of KONGONET, has advocated for a stronger, more inclusive constitution, to enhance the Nation’s development and progress.

KONGONET, made this known through in a communique signed by the Chairperson, Idris Ozovehe Muraina, and the Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria, (INGRA) Hamza Aliyu, and issued to newsmen shortly after a Town Hall meeting, held in Lokoja.

They revealed it’s committed efforts to actively participate in the ongoing constitutional review process, and however encouraged all Nigerians to join the conversation and contribute to shaping a better future for the nation.

The communique explained that,, civil society organizations in Kogi state are passionate about the alteration on Federal Structure and Power Devolution (especially section 2(2)), Local Government Autonomy, Nigerian Police and Security Architecture, Electoral Reforms for a Stronger INEC, Gender issues, Immunity Clause Review, State Access to Mining and the alteration of section 9 to insert referendum to bring constitutional alteration into effect without presidential assent.

“The Committee invites submissions on a wide range of thematic areas including the following thematic areas:Federal Structure and Power Devolution, Local Government Autonomy, Public Revenue, Fiscal Federation, and Revenue Allocation, Nigerian Police and Security Architecture, Judicial Reforms, Electoral Reforms for a Stronger INEC,

Others include, “Socio-Economic and Cultural Rights (Chapter 2)Traditional Institutions, Gender Issues,Strengthening Oversight Institutions,Residency and Indigene Provisions, Immunity Clause Review, The National Assembly Process of State Creation, State Access to Mining With additional memoranda promoting good governance and national well-being also welcomed.

“The deadline for submissions is April 10, 2024, and against this backdrop, the leadership of KONGONET have called for a Town Hall meeting, in attendance were members of various thematic networks in the state and media houses” the communique stated.

The communique observed that, “Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution empowers the National Assembly to amend the constitution through a rigorous process requiring a two-thirds majority vote in both houses and subsequent approval by two-thirds of state houses of assembly.

“Based on the principles of democracy and social justice, the Nigerian Constitution emphasizes popular sovereignty, guaranteeing the participation of its citizens in governance as enshrined in Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“That this constitutional review process presents a crucial opportunity for KONGONET to advocate for positive change that reflects the needs and aspirations of our Kogites.

“Networks and organizations with similar thematic areas should work and adopt related thematic areas from the call for memoranda and collaborate to develop a memorandum or memoranda for onward submission” it stated.