By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Joshua Igbagara weekend faulted the outcome of constitution drafting and amendment in the country declaring that the various drafting committees have failed the nation with the inclusion of immunity clause and constituency projects for governors and members of the National Assembly.

King Igbagara who was a member of the constitution drafting committee during the administration late military dictator, General Sani Abacha noted with sadness that the constitution amendment committee in which he served like many others after it failed the nation by not amending the immunity clause of governors and the allocation of constituency fund handed elective officers.

This unwholesome development, he said, laid the foundation for money laundering and fraud among politicians and diversion of funds meant to develop the constituencies.

The royal father who spoke in Yenagoa during the inaugural public lecture titled “Good Governance: Pains, gains of Leadership and 2011 polls” organised by the member of the FCC of the NUJ said the issue of good governance would have been much assisted if the constitution review committees including those set up during late General Sani Abacha had amended the clauses on immunity and constituency funds.

His words, “I was a member of a constitution review committee that suggested the inclusion of the immunity clause in the constitution. We were known as 300 wise men but when we finished we became 300 foolish men. We failed the corporate existence of the nation with the inclusion of immunity clause that has protected politicians against prosecution on fraud, money laundering and other evils in governance.

“Look at the inclusion of constituency funding at the National Assembly and state, when million are giving out, the legislators don’t go to their constituency to execute any project and none has been arrested or prosecuted. If the constitution allows it, all review committees have failed the nation.”

On the second tenure bid by elective officers, King Igbagara noted that though the case of the governor of the state was different due to the poor state of the economy of the state when he assumed office.

He however said many of the National and state assembly members claiming to have been called upon by their people to run for a second tenure are liars.

“When they say my people asked me to run for second term, it is a lie. Ask their people and you will discover they know him not.

“These failed politicians say they have pains and constraints during their first tenure and need the other tenure to consolidate, it is ruse. If a leader complains of pains of governance, he has failed the people. If he has succeeded, he would take the glory,” he monarch said.