Constitutional Amendment: “Restructuring Should be About Devolution of Power”- Onofiok Luke

Mr. Luke on Channels TV

Nigerian Federal lawmaker Mr Onofiok Luke has stated that the constitutional alterations have not been able to capture much of the yearnings of Nigerians.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television breakfast show The Sunrise Daily on Thursday, Luke said that restructuring one of the issues considered in the constitutional amendment should be about devolution of power.

He cited how the proposed bill on state police failed to pass the second reading as some members reasoned that there were too many powers concentrated in the hand of State Chief Executives that can be abused should state police be allowed.

The Lawmaker who is representing the people of Etinan/ Nsit Ibom/ Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency also made a case for maritime to be delisted from the exclusive list and listed in the concurrent list to allow the state and federal government to legislate in the sector. He recalled how Akwa Ibom State since 1999 has laboured to establish a seaport and because of the bottlenecks in getting approval from the federal government the project is yet to kick off.

Luke stressed that despite having investors on the ground, his state has not been able to establish the seaport which will be beneficial to the country.

He said that he is determined to contribute his quota to the betterment of the country. According to Luke, “I was not in the National Assembly in the last assembly, 7th Assembly, 8th Assembly and I heard about the reforms that were made and so it is my place in the 9th Assembly to be able to make my own little contribution because I don’t intend to go back to the National Assembly”.

“Let me contribute to making my position. Let it be that, yes in my time I was able to, in the area of the Committee I Chair through the magnanimity of the Rt Hon Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila through the grace of God and the Leadership of the House of Representatives, Committee on Judiciary, able to make an impact in Judicial Reforms to better the lives of judicial officers”.

The Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary said most of the controversial recommendations have not found expression in the final draft before the National Assembly.