Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has said the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) will give full support to any move designed to deepen the nation’s democracy and strengthen good governance.
He said the forum was committed to addressing critical issues of concerns to the citizens regarding the constitution.
The Governor made the pledge when he played host to the Friends of Democracy, a non-governmental organisation championing amendment to some critical sections of the 1999 constitution in his office in Minna, the state capital.
Governor Sani-Bello who said he was in support of the constitutional amendment move by the 8th National Assembly to address contemporary challenges and yearnings of the people stressing that the growth of the nation’s democracy should interest all well meaning Nigerians.
Addressing the team, the Governor said, ” I assure you that we will do whatever we need to do to strength our democracy but we will do it responsibly. If we feel some certain changes will create more harm than good we will try to avoid them but if we feel some certain changes will be in the interest of Nigeria we will support. We will support as long as it is in the interest of the country. We are very democratic and want to strengthen our democracy”.
He disclosed that the constitutional amendment is being looked into by the Governor’s Forum adding that a committee has been set up to critically look into it.
“We as Governors under the Nigerian Governor’s Forum looked at most of the issues raised in the constitutional amendment and have set up a committee to look into it.
“We are looking at it at the NGF level. I have no objection, I will go with what my colleagues decide and we will support because we need to have a very strong democracy”.
Governor Sani-Bello said Niger state has already started the implementation of Local Government Autonomy in order to give room for transparency and accountability in his administration and to deepen democracy as well as to promote good governance at all levels of government in the state.
Earlier, the leader of the team, Prof. Sam Egwu who called for the support of the Governor as well as the state House of Assembly said the amendment of the constitution by the National Assembly became necessary as a result of the yearnings of the citizens and to address the concerns of the people regarding the document.
He disclosed that the amendment of the constitution will reform governance at all levels, strengthen some institutions of democracy and as well improve the electoral
