Senate Votes Against Devolution Of Power To States

     The Nigerian Senate has voted against the devolution of power to states, and in support of Local Government Autonomy.

   The lawmakers on Wednesday voted on the areas up for amendment in the 1999 Constitution, in favour of immunity in respect of words spoken or written at plenary sessions. The lawmakers also voted in favour of the amendments that the President must nominate Ministers within 30 days and attach the portfolios of the Ministers to the Senate when sending for confirmation.

  Other areas voted include the separation of the office of the Minister and Commissioner of Justice from the Attorney General of the Federation and of states to create an independent office of the Attorney General of the Federation insulated from partisanship.

  Also, to empower INEC to deregister political parties over failure to secure an elective seat, to remove NYSC, Land Use, PCC, NSA Acts from the constitution and make them flexible for regular amendment. The clause makes it obligatory for the President to deliver a State of the Nation address in a joint session of the National Assembly.