Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, CCD has commended the House of Representatives for the second reading of the Bill seeking for the alteration of sections 147, 151, 192 and 196 of the 1999 constitution, to provide for the inclusion of young persons and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in political and other appointments in Nigeria.
CCD in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, David Anyaele revealed that, “the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila by sponsoring this bill has set the track for the full integration of more than 31 million Nigerians with disabilities in governance.”
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He noted that, “this is the first phase of the process of the alteration of these sections of the Constitution. We have a serious work to do around lobbying and advocacy for the passage of the bill at the Senate.
“We must not forget that this is alteration of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. What that means is that it will require lobbying the 36 State Houses of Assembly to secure a two third vote across the Federation, even as we will equal engage the President of Nigeria for his assent.”
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CCD thereafter called on “the HoR to accelerate the process to ensure the final passage of the Bill as we head to the Senate their passage and harmonisation.”