In a significant step towards constitutional reforms, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, announced on Monday that the review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly would be characterized by transparency, oneness, inclusivity, and national cohesion. The announcement came during the inauguration of the House Special Committee on Constitution Review.
The committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, has already received over 44 bills proposing alterations to the constitution, covering critical issues such as rotational presidency, state police, local government autonomy, and more. Abbas emphasized that the parliamentary process would collaborate closely with the executive arms of government at both federal and state levels to ensure broad public support.
The constitution review process is slated to conclude within 24 months, with a deep commitment to engaging the Nigerian people across various levels, including traditional and religious institutions, pressure groups, trade unions, ethnoreligious organizations, the diaspora community, and others. Abbas highlighted the intention to collect input from Nigerians through open forum public consultations and digital platforms, ensuring a comprehensive representation of diverse perspectives.
Identifying key focus areas for the review, Abbas stated, “devolution of powers, state policing; enhancement of fiscal federalism through local government autonomy; further decongesting the exclusive legislative list; recognizing and assigning constitutional roles for traditional institutions; and promoting inclusivity, particularly greater gender equity and women representation into appointive and elective positions.”
Acknowledging the complexities and debates that may arise during the review, Abbas encouraged committee members and Nigerians to embrace them as integral components of a vibrant democracy, emphasizing that disagreements are signs of strength and diversity.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu assured that the committee would work diligently to fulfill its mandate within the stipulated 24 months. Areas of consideration in the constitutional amendment include the establishment of state police, state access to mines, increased participation of women in politics, specification of taxes/levies collected by each tier of government, and the provision for the office of the Mayor of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Kalu pledged to ensure that every voice is heard, every perspective is considered, and every citizen is empowered to participate in shaping the nation’s future. Additionally, he committed to revisiting proposals from the previous constitution review exercise that did not receive presidential assent.
Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, pledged the commitment of State Assemblies to ratify the Constitution alterations bills once transmitted by the National Assembly. He stressed the importance of continuous constitutional debates until Nigerians achieve the constitution they deserve.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, assured a seamless collaboration between Senate and House Committees for a comprehensive review. Akpabio emphasized that the process goes beyond a law review and has the potential to reshape the nation’s democracy, affirming that transparency, diligence, inclusiveness, and collaboration would guide the entire process.