By Ayyuba Haruna, Abuja
The Senate on Wednesday asked Nigerians who are agitating for a brand new constitution in the country to perish the thought as the National Assembly lacks the powers to do so .
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, stated this when he hosted members of the – Alliance of Nigerian Patriots, led by Ambassador Umunna Orjiako, in Abuja .
Senator Omo -Agege, who is the Chairman of the Senate ad – hoc Committee on Constitution Review, gave the explanation in a statement by his media aide , Yomi Odunuga, in Abuja .
He explained the National Assembly had no powers to replace the current Constitution but that it could only amend it.
"Even the advanced democracies like the United States of America where Nigeria’s presidential system of government is fashioned after, also engage in piecemeal amendments,"he said.
However he said, Sections 8 and 9 of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended) , equally made provisions for piecemeal alteration of the Constitution .
He, therefore urged those calling for a new Constitution to channel their energy towards participating actively in the ongoing amendment of the Constitution by the 9th Assembly.
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