By Luka Binniyat & Inalegwu Shaibu
ABUJA—THE Speakers of 36 State Houses of Assembly have endorsed the National Assembly’s appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the Lagos High Court ruling on the First amendment to the 1999 Constitution.

Chairman Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, Mr. Istifanus Gbana who made the disclosure while presenting the second amendment of the 1999 Constitution to the National Assembly said that presidential assent is not needed on the first alteration.

He said, “I personally support the position of the National Assembly to the extent that the President needs not to endorse the first alteration bill. I hold entirely to that and that was why in my speech, I said the whole state houses of assembly are in support of the National Assembly.”

Senate President, Senator David Mark who received the second amendment insisted that  legislators as members of national executive council of political parties in the Electoral Act  does not serve the interest of legislators.

Senator Mark urged people who felt short changed by the bill to attend public hearing where their inputs can be captured instead of being arm chair critics.

He said, “I noticed that the issue of National Assembly members being members of NEC of various political parties has been in the front burner. People are saying it is self serving.

“If you say it is self serving, does that mean the moment this is over, that that bill or act will die ? If that bill is passed, it will survive all of us. Does that mean it is self serving? I encourage all Nigerians to come if there is a public hearing and if there is a superior argument, the Committee will listen. But to say it is self serving for heavens sake does not even come in.”

He called on the judiciary to expedite action on the first amendment to the 1999 Constitution stressing that the National Assembly is committed to ensuring the successful conduct of the 2011 general elections.

Speaking further on the second amendment, Mr. Gbana said that the amendment received an overwhelming support from the State Assemblies.

“I am aware that one or two, three states objected in one or two of the clauses but substantially, majority of the states of assemblies adopted two third of the clauses from National Assembly.”