- To work on harmonised draft constitution for new leadership to emerge.
In its attempt for the Incorporated leadership of Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA) to continue the work of the joint effort that produced a harmonised draft constitution for the organisation, the Board of Trustees’ Caretaker Committee of the organisation has unveiled the constitution amendment committee that will usher in a new constitution which will guide the emergence of new leadership of the body, to reposition the interest of Igala ethnic nationality.
At a press conference in Lokoja on Friday, Comrade Emmanuel Omattah, the Chairman of the Incorporated Interim Caretaker Committee disclosed that the constitution amendment committee was constituted to ensure that due process of constitutional amendment is followed to the later.
He stated that the harmonised draft constitution under review came into effect through efforts of the Board of Trustees of the incorporated ICDA led by Dr Omakoji Simeon Oyiguh and Professor Stephen Ocheni, based on the advice of the Acting Chairman of Igala Area Traditional Council, HRH, Dr Usman Obaje OON, as part of reconciliation and restructuring of the apex socio-cultural association to reflect the interest of Igala race.
Explaining, Comrade Omattah Emmanuel posited that the present ICDA constitution has been criticised by many as being too scanty, weak and fragile to work with in order to position and address the teething challenges facing the organisation and the race presently.
“The Constitution Amendment Committee is to ensure that the draft constitution is thrown to the general public for input which will be collated and debated before ratification, at an AGM to be called later for that purpose.
“There is an unending outcry in the land for ICDA to be strengthened, and to ensure that people with good background and pedigree take over the leadership at the highest level.
“There is also a well registered deep roaring from stakeholders, elites and senior citizens of the land that a civil servant should not occupy the office of the ICDA President henceforth,” he stressed.
He added that the Committee has the mandate to ensure that the draft constitution reaches all the branches of ICDA and stakeholders, including other sociocultural groups to ensure widespread information on the amendment process and stimulate robust debate.
According to him, among others, the constitution Amendment Committee members include; His Excellency Ambassador Ali Ocheni as Chairman; Professor S. Atawodi, Vice Chairman 1; HRH Sani Yakubu Ejima, Onu Igala Lagos, Vice Chairman 2; Dr James Odiba, Secretary; Barrister Hamza Usman, Assistant Secretary.
Other members include, Prince Atabo Ijomi King; Mr Umar Usman, member; Engineer Tijani Abuh Ademu, representing Ojuju Agbadufu Igala; Abdulmalik Idris, representing Igala Students Association; representative of Igala Elders’ Consultative Forum and representative of District/ Community Development Associations are also members of the committee.
The Constitution Amendment Committee was given eight weeks to conclude its assignment, with a mandate to co-opt any member that the Committee deems fit to assist them in the assignment.
