Former Minority Whip Urges 10th National Assembly to Prioritize Constitution Amendment and Economic Empowerment
A former Minority Whip of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie, has called on the 10th National Assembly to focus on key areas such as constitution amendment, economic empowerment, diversification of the economy, and infrastructural development. He emphasized the need for positive change in the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
During a speech delivered at the National Political Science Association (NPSA) meeting in Abuja, Osagie, who now serves as the chairman of the African Bar Association and Executive Director of the Centre for Advance & Dynamic Leadership for Development, urged the 10th National Assembly to address the negative perception of the legislature in democratic governance.
Osagie highlighted several areas that require the attention of the 10th Assembly. These include education and human capital development, healthcare for all, transparent governance and accountability, security, safety, and fixing the nation’s refineries.
The former federal lawmaker recognized the misunderstanding of the legislature’s role in democratic governance since the inception of the 4th Republic. He suggested that the relevance of the legislature to the well-being of citizens is questionable. Osagie urged the 10th National Assembly to change these negative narratives about itself.
He stressed that the core challenges faced by the nation lie in the thematic areas of focus identified by the lower house. Osagie emphasized the urgent need to thoroughly review the 1999 Constitution, which, despite five amendments, has failed to meet the people’s needs and provide a standard threshold for development.
Furthermore, Osagie emphasized the importance of devolving power and resources to states and local governments. He called for the removal of provisions that discriminate against individuals based on gender, place/state of origin, religion, creed, and other forms of discrimination. This move, he argued, would lead to a fair and egalitarian society with equal opportunities for all citizens.
In order to achieve the desired socio-economic development in Nigeria, Osagie urged the 10th National Assembly to prioritize constitution amendment, economic empowerment, diversification of the economy, and infrastructural development. He called for a proactive approach to address the challenges facing the nation and emphasized the need for accountability, transparency, and inclusivity.
It remains to be seen how the 10th National Assembly will respond to these urgent calls for action. However, with the growing expectations and demands of Nigerians for positive change, it is crucial for the legislature to prioritize these key areas and work toward advancing the socio-economic development of the country.
