The Senate has begun? the process of a holistic review of the 1999 Constitution as it? named a 47-member Constitution review committee.
As expected, the panel is headed by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
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The list comprises one senator from each of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a representative from each of the six geo-political zones of the country and three others representing what was described as special interests.
Curiously all the female senators were included in the list.
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The composition of the committee was announced yesterday by the Senate President, David Mark, shortly before the plenary was adjourned.
The composition of the committee came barely 24 hours after the Senate had, on resumption from a six week annual vacation on Tuesday, assured that it would? prioritise a comprehensive constitutional amendment.
?It slated state creation, the local government system, devolution of powers, revenue allocation, state police, state Independent National Electoral Commission, uniform minimum wage, joint account and other contentious but important issues for review in the fresh process.
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Members of the committees are Senators Uche Chukwumerije, Bello Tukur, Chris Ngige, Ita Enang, Abdul Ningi, Heineken Lokpobiri, Barnabas Gemade, Ahmed Zannah, Victor Ndoma- Egba (SAN), James Manager, Christopher Nwankwo, Odion Ugbesia, Anthony Adeniyi, Ayogu Eze, Joshua Lidani, Chris Anyanwu, Abdulaziz Usman, Datti Baba-Ahmed, Bello Gwarzo, Abu Ibrahim, Abubakar Bagudu, Smart Adeyemi, Mohammed? Lafiagi, Ganiyu Solomon, Suleiman Adokwe, Dahiru? Kuta and Adegbenga Kaka.
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The rest are Senators Boluwaji Kunlere, Sola Adeyeye, Olufemi Lanlehin, Joshua Dariye, Magnus Abe, Umaru Dahiru, Abubakar? Umar, Alkali Jajere, Ahmed Sani, Philip Aduda, Nkechi Nwaogu, Helen Esuene, Nenadi Usman, Oluremi Tinubu, Zaynab Kure, Aisha Al-hassan, George Akume, Ayoola Agboola and Mohammed Saleh.
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The Senate also? asked the Federal Government to immortalise late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu. The Senate plenary had? in session yesterday, also observed a minute silence in his honour.
The senators also resolved to send a high powered delegation to be led by President of the Senate, David Mark, to condole with the family of the late Aikhomu and the people and government of Edo State.
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The resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored? by Senators Odion Ugbesia (Edo Central), Ehigie Uzamere (Edo South) and Domingo Obende (Edo North).
?Aikhomu had died on Wednesday the 17th of August, 2011at the age of 72 years.
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