A total of 283 Civil Society Organisations and Women groups have appealed for an extension in the deadline of Call for Memoranda. This is coming after the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ovie A. Omo-Agege, announced that the Committee has commenced the process of further alteration to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
While calling on the general public, and groups, to submit memoranda or proposals covering 13 items for the review of the Constitution within 14 days of the announcement.
However, following the ultimatum to constitutional review, these women groups seek a 30-60 days extension from the date of publication of the memo.
In a statement addressed to Sen. Omo-Agege and signed by Founding Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre
(WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi on behalf of the 283 women groups, it stated: “the extension will enable us the women groups, civil society, and other stakeholders to reach out to our networks and make proper consultations and contribute to the constitutional review actively and purposefully.
“We appreciate the efforts of the honorable members of the senate for the exemplary leadership you have shown as lawmakers. We would also like to appreciate you on the thoughtful review of the 1999 constitution and especially for the priority you placed on Gender Equality for Women and Girls amongst the other 13 under-listed matters.”
The group noted that the constitution is the ground norm of all laws in the country is expected to reflect the various interests and legal expectations of every geopolitical zone of the country.
“Constitutional Reviews can play an important role in upholding the rule of law, democracy, and the protection of Human Rights.
Based on the above premise, we believe that an extension of the deadline will give adequate opportunity to all sectors of the society to make input to the review.”
