By John Ikani
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading the Bill seeking an amendment to sections 147, 151, 192 and 196 of the 1999 constitution, to provide for the inclusion of young persons and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in political and other appointments in Nigeria.
The bill sponsored by the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila defines young persons to mean Nigerians between the ages of 15 to 35 years.
It among other amendments, seeks to make it mandatory for young persons and PWD to be included in appointments in government at various levels.
An amendment in Section 147, subsection 3 reads, “any appointment under Sub-section (2) of this section by the President shall be in conformity with the provisions of subsection 14(3) of this constitution. Provided that in giving effect to the provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each State, who shall be an indigene of such State and shall include young persons and persons with disabilities.”
The passage of the bill was met with opposition from Uzoma Abonta who argued that the consideration for young persons and persons with disabilities should be a policy matter and not a constitutional one.
According to him making it a constitutional matter would be overkill.
The Speaker argued against this saying policies come and go depending on government but amending the constitution to accommodate the interests of young persons and persons with disabilities would provide a permanent solution.
