WHY I REFUSED ASSENT TO CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILL.-- PRESIDENT GOODLUCK

President Goodluck Jonathan has listed reasons why he refused to assent to the Constitution Amendment bill passed by the National Assembly.

GOODLUCK JONATHAN, NIGERIA PRESIDENT

In a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and read at plenary today, President Jonathan pointed out that the section of the amended constitution which seeks to do away with the ‎assent of the president in the process of constitution amendment was not supported by the required number of votes. 

President Jonathan also noted that the section which provides that a bill will become law after the expiration of 30 days in the event that the president fails to signify the withholding of his assent may be inappropriate.

The President said the provision of the sections which seek create the new office of the Attorney General of the federation from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the states of the Federation, has certain provisions which negate the principle of separation of powers.

‎The National Assembly forwarded the amended constitution to the president for assent in October 2014.