National Assembly Lacks Power To Make Constitution, Lawyer Says

national assembly

The National Assembly has no power to make constitution for Nigerians, an activist and lawyer, Dr. Akpo Mudiaga-Odje, has said.

Speaking to Vanguard on the proposed national dialogue, Odje said: “There is nowhere in the world where National Assembly makes constitution.

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“It is made by the people from their accredited representatives and thereafter, reaffirmed by the votes and referendum by those people that sent their delegates to go and debate for them.

“That is how real constitution emanates and that is why the thing is even known as grassroots constitution.

“I have not seen anywhere in a flourishing democracy where the National Assembly makes a constitution for the people.

“Talk we must talk. Definitely Nigeria is overdue for talking. We can talk about how we do not want to stay together or about the conditions of unity; we would discuss them.

“Then the outcome should be given to the masses for assessment. They either affirm or reject it.

“The Ghanaian Constitution of 1993 passed through this process. They first did a consultation by the assembly for constitutional changes; brought a draft, put it to the public and the referendum was 92 per cent in favour,” Odje said.