By Austin Ogwuda
SENATOR Ned Nwoko representing Delta North constituency in the National Assembly has submitted a Bill for an Act to alter the 1999 Constitution to provide for Diaspora voting, enabling Nigerians living abroad to vote come 2027, without necessarily having to fly down to Nigeria to exercise their franchise, if amended before then.
The Bill for provision of Diaspora voting is among the Six Bills he has submitted for recommendation on the floor of the Senate.
Nwoko who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Reparation & Repatriation, revealed this on Saturday in a post he made on X handle after arriving in Kano for a three-day retreat of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Nwoko, stressing that the review of the Constitution was long overdue.
He listed other Bills he submitted for review to include: –
- A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Cap. C23 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 for the Creation of Anioma State and for Matters connected therewith.
- A Bill for an Act to establish the National Talent, Rehabilitation and Integration Agency and for R
elated Matters.
*A Bill for an Act to alter the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 No. 7 to prohibit the discriminatory use of Foreign currency payment for remuneration and for matters connected therewith. - A Bill for an Act to alter the Electoral Act, 2022 (as altered) to provide for the issuance of Permanent Voter’s Card at the point of registration and for related matters.
*A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to provide for the mandatory First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training at homes, schools, institutions and offices and the adoption of the Good Samaritan Laws and matters connected therewith, 2024.
He said he was honoured to be part of the few Senators selected among the 109 Senators from across the country for the crucial assignment, noting that “it is a critical task and it is something I have been looking forward to, especially as I have submitted Six Bills for recommendation to the Senate.
Senator Nwoko’s Chief Communicator, Gloria Okolugbo, earlier in an article stated that the gathering of the Constitution Review Committee in Kano was a gathering that will elicit hope for Anioma people.
According to her, the gathering has ranking Senators; members of the House of Representatives; Consultants and other stakeholders in Kano for a retreat of the Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
She said the Senate Special Committee mandated to handle this much sought for assignment by Nigerians, is constituted with members drawn from all the 36 States of the Federation.
She added that the Committee is made up of one Senator from each State, noting that most of the very outstanding and experienced Senators constitute membership members of the Committee.
“Distinguished Senator Prince Ned Nwoko is a key member of this Committee, the Senate President ably represented by his Deputy is leading the Committee members on this important national assignment.
“Several former Governors and ranking Senators are present at this Retreat.
Anioma State creation is one of the Bills slated clearly for consideration and is already at the front burner of the ongoing discussion for equity”, said Nwoko’s Media Aide.
Photo caption: Senator Ned Nwoko and other Members standing attention for the National Anthem at the Kano Retreat.
