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The stage appeared set on Thursday for a possible showdown between the Senate and President Goodluck Jonathan for refusing assent to the Fourth Alteration Act 2015 which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution.
The President through a letter to Senate President, David Mark, on Wednesday, said he would not assent to the amendments because the National Assembly procedure for the exercise did not satisfy the strict requirements of Section 9(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
Obviously shocked by the development in view of the fact that the bill which cost the National Assembly about N4bn to put together in the last two years, the Senate mandated the committee on constitution amendments to study Jonathan’s letter and report back next week.
Mark also directed that the letter be circulated to all the senators to enable them to digest the contents properly to help them make valid contributions during the debate next week.
However, the constitution amendments committee led by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, could not go ahead with its two-day retreat which was supposed to start on Wednesday because Jonathan did not return the original bill, which is against the practice.
Briefing his colleagues on the development during plenary on Thursday, Ekweremadu demanded that the Senate should ask Jonathan to return the original copy specifically containing the signature page, to the chamber.
Our correspondent learnt that the Senate was insisting on the original copy of the bill, containing the signature page from Jonathan because they had information that the President had initially signed the bill before withdrawing his assent because of intense pressure on him.
Mark agreed with Ekweremadu’s submission and subjected the request to a vote and the senators, voted in its support.
He said, “I think the important thing is that if the floor accepts that I send that letter then I will write a letter to Mr. President to return the original copy of the bill to us.”
Further findings by our correspondent revealed that the National Assembly was spoiling for war over Jonathan’s action because they see the constitution amendments as the hallmark of the 7th Senate to which about N4bn was spent to put together.
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