Government should have involved NPP more in constitutional review – Kpebu

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticized the government for failing to involve the New Patriotic Party (NPP) more deeply in the constitutional review process. Speaking on JoyNews' The Pulse, Kpebu stated that the NPP's decision to withdraw from the processes leading to constitutional amendments highlights the necessity of broader consultations, especially considering the party's substantial support base.

While he appreciated the NPP's proposal for a consultative assembly, Kpebu is still contemplating whether a new constituent assembly is required. He emphasized that the government should have recognized the significance of involving the NPP from the outset, given the constitutional mandate for broad public support in certain amendments.

Kpebu expressed strong dissatisfaction with how the NPP was treated, asserting that they were not given the respect they deserved. He criticized the government for not acknowledging the NPP's influence, noting that the party's support base is considerable, as even their lowest electoral performance garnered nearly 42% of the vote.

Kpebu pointed out that amendments requiring referendums, where a minimum of 40% of voters must approve, with a 75% approval rate, necessitate extensive consultation with all stakeholders, including opposition parties like the NPP. He also criticized the President's premature announcements regarding constitutional amendments, such as the potential extension of presidential terms, without sufficient prior consultation from opposition parties.

Kpebu argued that such actions demonstrate a lack of consensus-building essential for a thorough constitutional review process.