Hearing on the review of the 1999 Nigeria constitution on Saturday 10th November, 2012 at Ika National Hall, Agbor, headquarters of Ika South local government area of Delta State recorded a huge attendance, as traditional rulers, members of Ika communities including interest groups, association, and political groups attended.
The historical event which started at 10:am in the morning was chaired by Hon Chief Justice Sylvester A. Ehiwario, rtd. In his opening remark, Hon chief Justice Ehiwario lauded the leadership and members of the House of Representatives for involving the people of the grassroot in the constitution review, just as he commended all those that attended particularly the traditional rulers. While saying that 1999 constitution was the making of the military the elder statesmen called on Nigerian to support the effort of the National Assembly in the amendment of some provisions in the constitution that are contrary to the will of the people.
In his remarks, the member representing Ika Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Barr Victor Nwokolo thanked the peoples of the constituency for honouring the invitation. He used the opportunity to commend the leadership of the House of Representatives under the headship of Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Emeka Ikedioha, as well as the entire members of the constitution amendment committee for coming up with the idea of coming down to the grassroot in the constitution review process.
The lawmaker said that the National Assembly is not going to write a new constitution for the country, but rather, review some sections pointed out by Nigerians through memoranda they submitted to the House Ad-Hoc committee on the Amendment of the 1999 constitution, pointing out that what the National Assembly is doing is backed up by section up of the constitution which makes case for popular participation by the people in governance.
Rt. Hon Martin Okonta, member representing Ika South local government area in the Delta State House of Assembly, and others who spoke during the meeting thanked all the came, even as they praised the National assembly for the initiative.
Participants answered yes or no to the forty-three questions in the template given to them. Areas where some of the participants did not understand was explained by Hon chief Justice Ehiwario who incidentally is a retired jurist.
The names of dignitaries that attended were: His Royal Majesty, the Dein of Agbor ably represented by Chief Sunday Nwaki; Obi of Umunede, HRM Ezenwali Agadagidi; HRM Ifeanyi Alekwe, Obi of Mbiri; HRH Gabriel Gikeme, Obi of Ute-Ogbeje; HRM Osadume, Obi of Igbodo, HRM Alioma Collins Obi of Otokpo, Elder John Ehikwe, Dr. Samuel Idiaghe, Mr. Daniel Usifoh, Prof. Egbon, Rt. Hon Martin Okonta, Ndu Okonye, Chief Philip Igumber, Chief Paul Eluem, Mr. Vincent Arimokwu, Rear Admiral Peter Elumah rtd, Felix Morka, Prof Alika, Mr. Peter Isedeh, Chief Mr, P. Iyasere, chief Mr. Agbogwe, elders, women, and youths from different communities including interest groups.
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