Constitutional Review: Anioma State Creation, Diaspora Voting On Front Burner, Says Senator Ned Nwoko

Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North in the National Assembly, has revealed that the bill for Anioma State creation as well as Diaspora voting are currently at the front burner in the ongoing constitutional review retreat of the senate.

Nwoko spoke in Kano over the weekend during a three-day retreat of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution.

In a post he made on X, formerly Twitter, Senator Nwoko said the review of the constitution was long overdue and he was excited over the development.

He revealed that he was honoured to be part of the few Senators selected among the 109 Senators from across the country.

According to him: “It’s a critical task and it’s something I’ve been looking forward to, especially as I have submitted six bills for recommendation to the Senate.

He listed the bills he has 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.

Another is a bill for an act to establish the National Talent, Rehabilitation and Integration Agency, and for related matters.

He also submitted 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.

Senator Nwoko, in his post, said he submitted a bill for an act to alter the Electoral Act, 2022 (as altered) to provide for the issuance of permanent voter card at the point of registration and for related matters.

Additionally, he submitted 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.

A bill for an act to alter the 1999 constitution (as altered) to provide for diaspora voting and for related matters.

Meanwhile, an article by Gloria Okolugbo, Chief Communicator for Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko, revealed 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 are members of this Committee.

Okolugbo said Distinguished Senator Prince Ned Nwoko is a key member of this committee, adding that 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,” Okolugbo said.