ABUJA – In what looks like a shock from serious dents dealt on their work by the presidency, the National Assembly yesterday, shortened its sitting to allow for its Committees on Constitution Review study cases involved and report back accordingly, for further necessary legislative action.
The NASS had expended over N1 billion as provided in the Budget 2014, putting together a Bill for the 4th Alteration Act, 2015 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  It was later forwarded to President Goodluck Jonathan for his assent after the 36 State Houses of Assembly had concord.
However, in his letter to Senate President David Mark and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of Representatives, President Goodluck Jonathan rejected the amendments to the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly on the ground that they do not satisfy the strict requirements of Section 9(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
The president submitted that alteration to constitution cannot be valid with mere voice votes unless supported by the votes of not less than four-fifths majority all members of National Assembly and two-thirds of all the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
According to him, the “absence of credible evidence that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015 satisfied the strict requirements of Section 9(3) of the 1999 Constitution, it will be unconstitutional for me to assent to it”.
“I therefore withhold my assent and accordingly remit Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015 to the Senate /House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”, he stressed.
The president also queried the decision of the National Assembly to whittle down some Executive powers of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and faulted certain amendments that gives Executive powers and duties to the Legislature and the Judiciary.
He further observed that the proposed amendment has imposed right to free basic education and primary and maternal care services on private institutions; and has flagrantly violated the doctrine of separation of powers; as well as unjustifiably whittled down the Executive powers of the Federation vested in the President by virtue of Section 5(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The president also picked holes in the proposed “30 days allowed for assent of the President; limiting expenditure in default of appropriation from 6months to three months;  and creating the Office of Accountant-General of the Federation as distinct from the Accountant General of the Federal Government
He also rejected the proposal to empower the National Economic Council to appoint the Accountant-General of the Federation instead of the President; allowing NJC to now appoint the Attorney-General of the Federation rather than the President; and unwittingly whittling down the discretionary powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
To this end, the President stated that he has no choice than to veto the amendments to the constitution as forwarded to him by the National Assembly.
When the letter was read on the floor of Senate, senators instantly raised their hands, signifying their intentions to make comments, but presiding Senate President David Mark ruled that it was necessary to allow for every senator to have a copy of the letter, for informed debate.
It is also expected that the Senate Committee which yesterday, begun a two-day retreat on the 2014 Constitution Amendment would discuss points on which the president has withheld his signature and make necessary recommendations that will serve as a way forward for the federal legislative house.

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