Consitutional Amendments: Agboworin, Other NASS Committee Members Converge In Ibadan To Get  Stakeholders’ Inputs*

*Consitutional Amendments: Agboworin, Other NASS Committee Members Converge In Ibadan To Get  Stakeholders’ Inputs*

Lawmaker representing Ibadan North East/South East Federal constituency, Rep. Abass Adigun, popularly known as Agboworin, was among other members of the NASS Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, who converged in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday, for the South West Zonal Legislative Interactive Session.

Agboworin, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, is as well a member of the House Committee on Electoral Matters.

The delegation, whose primary assignment in Ibadan was to make consultation with stakeholders within the South West Zone on proposed constitution amendments, paid a courtesy visit to the office of Oyo State Governor, His Excellency, Seyi Makinde, at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Makinde, while playing host to the federal legislators at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, charged members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, to recommend amendments that will strengthen the nation’s democracy and unite the country.

He added that Nigerians must be made to have confidence in the nation’s democracy and participate in it.

While encouraging them to be open-minded about their task, Governor Makinde said, “I have seen people who were given the opportunity to change the trajectory of the nation but because of selfishness and personal interest they missed the road. Who knows who is going to be here tomorrow? Whatever you do, do it in the wider interest of the country; the unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct. A united Nigeria is the route to go.”

Speaking during the visit, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Electoral Matters and leader of the delegation, noted that the Joint Committee would be in all the zones of the country to ensure that the views of Nigerians are captured in the amendments.

He also reiterated the plan of the committee to come up with legislation that would ensure the conclusion of all electoral disputes before the inauguration of elected officials.

Similarly, Honourable Adebayo Balogun, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters, who spoke, lauded the governor for being a supporter of youths, adding that given the governor’s stance on youths, there was no better place to kick-start the committee’s consultation than Oyo State because of the committee’s interest in inclusion.

He said that the Joint Committee is looking at coming up with a legislation that would ensure that all litigations are laid to rest before an elected person is sworn into office.

Rep. Agboworin, speaking with journalists briefly after the courtesy visit, stated that the visit of the Committee was to get the input of the stakeholders in the state, which would be considered in the amendment procedure.

“Majorly, the way it is being done is that, we meet stakeholders every four years when there is a need to amend any part of the constitution.

“So, we tour the whole country to seek the input of different stakeholders and go back to the National Assembly for onward deliberation and begin another legislative input on it. This is the reason we are here today.

“So, we are here in Oyo State first to interact with other stakeholders to seek their reactions, especially on youth engagement, and we will be in other states of the South West Zone too,” Agboworin stated.

The legislators later proceeded to the venue where the  legislative session held at Signature Tower Hotel and Suites at Jericho, with the theme: ‘Legislation and the participation of young people in elections: the emerging trends.’

The event had in attendance the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin; the Secretary to Oyo State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni; the Deputy Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, Honourable Fola Oyekunle, commissioners and other top government functionaries.