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Buhari Won’t Sign Any More Bills – Presidency
The Presidency said on Sunday that President Muhammadu Buhari had drawn the curtains on the signing of bills for the Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution.
It noted that any bills not signed till date must have lapsed, adding that Buhari would have also communicated same to the National Assembly.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, spoke exclusively with The PUNCH amid renewed talks that Buhari failed to sign most of the constitutional amendment bills.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives spent at least N1bn of taxpayers’ money between 2017 and the first quarter of 2018 on the fourth alteration of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
Speaking on the issue, Enang said, “If the President has not signed any bill as of today – and he must have written the National Assembly informing them – it is because the time allowed by law has elapsed.
“It is no more available for signing. And I know that the President assented to some of the bills that were submitted and sent the rest back to the National Assembly.
“Anyone that has not been assented to, the time constitutionally allowed has elapsed and the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives must have been communicated.”
Findings showed that the Senate and the House initially proposed 33 amendments to the constitution, but both chambers only mutually passed 17 of the bills.
The 17 bills were later forwarded to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for approval in compliance with Section 9 of the constitution.
It was gathered that on April 18, the National Assembly forwarded 12 of the bills, which secured the endorsement of the two chambers upon return from the states, to President Buhari for his assent.
The PUNCH learnt that Buhari so far signed the Not Too Young to Run Bill (reducing the eligible age to contest for President from 40 to 35 years) and four others.
A June 8, 2018 Presidency document obtained by The PUNCH, itemised the bills the President assented to.
However, the 12 bills forwarded to the President earlier included Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 2 (Authorisation of Expenditure in Absence of Appropriation); Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 4 (Financial Autonomy of State Legislatures); Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 8 (The Legislature); Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 9 (Political Parties and Electoral Matters); and Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 15 (The Nigeria Police Force).
There were also Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 16 (Restriction of Tenure of President and Governor); Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 20 (Submission from the Judiciary); Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 21 (Determination of Pre-Election Matters); Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 22 (Consequential Amendment on Civil Defence); Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 24 (Procedure for Overriding Presidential Veto in Constitutional Alteration); Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 27 (Reduction of Age for Election); and the Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill No 28 (Timeline for the Presentation of Appropriation Bill).
But, when The PUNCH sought the reaction of the National Assembly on the development, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Abdulrazak Namdas, said the legislature had not rested the issue of constitution amendment.
He stated that a revisit was possible next year (2019) since the tenure of the 8th Assembly would not terminate till June 9.
Namdas said much as Buhari had sent a number of the bills back to the National Assembly, there were others the President had yet to sign and he also did not revert to the legislature.
He added, “To be fair to the President, he signed more bills, compared to previous Presidents. He also has a record of giving reasons he declined assent. But, there are bills he hasn’t signed and they are very important too.
“When we resume, we will look at those bills that have not been signed and see what we can do about them.
“As for the constitution alteration bills specifically, we will take a firm decision on them because all we need is two-thirds majority to pass them. So, until we resume in January to take a firm decision.”
Credit: Punch
The revered monarch was buried at 6:00 p.m. on Monday in a mausoleum he personally constructed within his compound.
Oba Adetona, who died on Sunday at the age of 91, was one of Nigeria’s most respected traditional rulers and the longest-reigning Awujale in history, having ascended the throne on April 2, 1960.
His reign spanned an extraordinary 65 years, marked by visionary leadership, cultural revival, and strong advocacy for good governance and the rule of law.
The late monarch’s burial followed Islamic rites and was witnessed by close family members and palace officials, in line with his personal wishes for a modest and private final journey.
Oba Adetona was not only revered within Ijebuland but also held in high esteem across Nigeria and beyond. His legacy includes the modernization of the Ijebu traditional institution and his philanthropic contributions to education and public service, including the establishment of the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance at Olabisi Onabanjo University.
In a remarkable twist of fate, Oba Adetona died on the same day as his close friend, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London after a prolonged illness. The two elder statesmen shared a deep bond, united by their influence and dedication to national service.
As tributes continue to pour in from traditional rulers, political leaders, and citizens across Nigeria, the people of Ijebuland are mourning the loss of a father figure and cultural icon whose legacy will endure for generations.
Funeral activities and plans for a broader celebration of life are expected to be announced by the palace in the coming days.
News
Ansar-ud-Deen President, Kazeem Mourns Ex-President Buhari, Hails His Legacy Of Discipline, Patriotism
In a condolence message personally signed by him, the former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, said President Buhari led with simplicity and a resolute commitment to national service and his place in the history of Nigeria is firmly cemented, and his legacy will continue to guide generations yet unborn.
He extended deepest condolences to the Buhari family, the current President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Emir of Daura, the good people of the Daura Emirate, the Government and people of Katsina State, all Nigerians, and indeed the global community that admired and respected President Buhari’s principled life.
“We, the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, received with deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss the news of the passing of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“President Buhari was a patriot, a disciplined leader, and a statesman who dedicated his life to the service of our great nation. From his early days in the military to his tenure as a democratically elected President, he remained committed to the unity, peace, and development of Nigeria. His leadership was marked by an unrelenting fight against corruption, a drive for national security, and efforts to instil transparency and discipline in governance.
“His unwavering belief in Nigeria and his determination to build a better future for all remain part of his enduring legacy.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the government, and the entire people of Nigeria. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.
“May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, reward his good deeds, and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus. May He also grant his family and all who mourn him the strength and patience to bear this great loss.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.(Surely, we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return.)”
In a tribute released on Sunday, Fashola said he was mourning with “a deeply heavy heart and profound sense of personal loss.”
“I join millions of Nigerians and friends around the world to mourn the passing of our former President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR,” he wrote.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, his children, and his entire extended family.”
Fashola, a former governor of Lagos, also extended his condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, especially the Daura Emirate, where the late president was born and later retired after leaving office.
Reflecting on Buhari’s public service, Fashola described him as a rare figure whose contributions spanned both military and democratic eras.
“From the battlefield to the ballot box, he stood as a sentinel of duty… guided always by a belief in discipline, integrity, and nationhood,” he said.
According to Fashola, Buhari’s personal values, including punctuality, order, and accountability, were often overlooked by public commentary but critical to his leadership style.
“He was perhaps the most punctual public servant I ever encountered — never late to cabinet meetings, always respecting the time of others. It may seem a small thing, but in governance, it is everything. It sets a tone,” he added.
He recalled Buhari’s controversial but value-driven “War Against Indiscipline” campaign, which he said was often misunderstood.
“It was rooted in a desire to rebuild a citizenry of order, courtesy, and civic responsibility,” he said
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