Constitution amendment unnecessary –Gov Aliyu

Category: News Published on Thursday, 07 March 2013 05:00 Written by Aliyu M. Hamagam, Minna

Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu has said that amendment of the 1999 constitution is not necessary, saying what the country needs is interpretation of some sections of the constitution by the judiciary.

The governor made the statement yesterday while declaring open the 39th conference of chief judges, Grand Khadis and presidents of Customary Courts of Appeal of Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory in Minna. He urged the judiciary to carry out its responsibility of interpreting laws so as to keep Nigeria and Nigerians in tune with the realities of the day.

He maintained that even the constitution of the United States of America that has advanced in democracy has not been amended more than five times.

“Judiciary is synonymous to democracy, we need interpretation of the constitution not amendment. The judiciary should wake up to its responsibility to ensure the entrenchment of democracy,” he said.

In his address, Niger State Chief Judge, Justice Jibrin Ndajiwo, regretted that most states of the federation are not complying with Section 121(3) of the 1999 constitution which states that all monies accruing to the judiciary in a state should be paid directly to the head of court for onward disbursement. He therefore called on Governor Aliyu to intercede on behalf of the judiciary for the implementation of that section of the constitution.