Human rights group concerned about constitution

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Nigeria's main human rights group, said on Wednesday it was worried the military government could give new constitutional powers to armed forces chiefs to prevent a return to genuine democracy, news organisations reported. It condemned the process whereby the military was drawing up the constitution behind closed doors and called on the military head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, to release the constitution immediately, news reports said. "It is our fear that the military government is working on handing over to Nigerians on 29 May, a constitution doctored and manipulated to include undemocratic provisions," Reuters quoted the TMG as saying. It was also worried that the constitution would include a clause limiting the future government's authority over the armed forces. Abubakar has denied these allegations, the BBC said. Earlier this week, Abubakar said the constitution would be released later this month. Reports in the local media have said that the heads of Nigeria's armed forces were reluctant to give up their jobs when Nigeria returns to civilian rule on 29 May.