The presidency has filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court against the House of Representatives and Senate, to nullify proposed amendments to the 1999 constitution.
According to Premium Times, the suit was filed because President Goodluck Jonathan did not approve of some of the amendments to some sections of the document sent to him by the National Assembly.
In a nutshell, the amendments in dispute whittle down some executive powers of the President. It also gives executive powers and duties to the legislature and the judiciary.
Jonathan has explained why he disagrees with these amendments:
“In view of the foregoing and absence of credible evidence that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015 satisfied the strict requirements of Section 9(3) of the 1999 Constitution, it will be unconstitutional for me to assent to it,” the president said.
“I therefore withhold my assent and accordingly remit Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015 to the Senate /House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
However, the National Assembly has stated that after 30 days, it would override the president’s veto.
