Hon. Soro Calls for Constitutional Amendment to Regulate Lawmaker Suspensions

Push for Legislative Reform to Check Excessive Powers

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mansur Manu Soro, has called for a constitutional amendment to regulate the process of suspending National Assembly members. He argued that this move would prevent the excessive use of power by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Speaking to journalists on Monday in Bauchi, Soro condemned the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as an action that undermines democratic representation.

“The office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, just like that of any other senator or House member, is a creation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The same applies to the office of the President, Governor, and Local Government Chairman,” he stated.

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Lawmaker Insists on Due Process in Suspensions

Hon. Soro emphasized that while the Constitution provides clear procedures for the impeachment of a President, Governor, and presiding officers of the National Assembly, it does not specify how an elected legislator can be suspended.

“The only constitutional provision regarding the removal of lawmakers is through a recall process initiated by their constituents via the **Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he noted.

He further argued that suspending lawmakers without due process deprives their constituencies of representation in the legislature.

Legislative Action to Prevent Unjust Suspensions

Citing the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi (Bauchi Central Senatorial District), Soro expressed concerns over how such actions silence the voices of entire constituencies.

“When my Senator, Abdul Ningi, was suspended, I felt terrible because my constituency was deprived of its voice in the Senate. That is why I have proposed a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution and provide a clear process for suspending lawmakers,” he stated.

His proposed bill, titled:
“A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to regulate the process of suspending a member of the National Assembly,” aims to:

• Protect the constitutional rights of all 109 senatorial districts and 360 federal constituencies from unjust suspensions.
• Ensure due process before any lawmaker is suspended.
• Limit the excessive powers of the Senate President and the Speaker of the House.

Proposed Bill on Political Party Executives

In addition to this bill, Soro also introduced a second proposal titled:
“A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to provide for compulsory retirement of National and State Executive Members of political parties seeking elective government positions.”

This bill seeks to prevent political party executives from holding office while contesting elections, ensuring a fairer political process.

As debates on these proposed amendments continue, Soro’s initiative could shape the future of legislative governance in Nigeria, ensuring greater accountability and fairness in the National Assembly.