Lawmakers say citizens’ voices are central as Nigeria holds a national public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution. Reps
The House of Representatives says the ongoing constitutiona review is the most inclusive and people-driven reform process in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Speaking at the National Public Hearing in Abuja, Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, stressed that the proposed amendments reflect the collective aspirations of Nigerians, not just the agenda of lawmakers.
He revealed that eighty-seven amendment bills have been compiled, covering electoral reform, devolution of powers, local government autonomy, and gender inclusion.
Among the key proposals are independent candidacy, creation of an Electoral Offences Commission, timelines for pre-election matters, and moving policing to the Concurrent List to allow state and community policing.
Other bills seek to guarantee financial and administrative independence for local governments and create reserved seats for women in legislative houses.
Kalu commended President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for providing the political will for bold reforms but urged Nigerians to stay engaged as the process moves through plenary debates, harmonization with the Senate, and state assembly approvals.
He assured that the final harmonized amendments will be made public before voting to guarantee transparency.
Describing the review as a foundational act of nation-building, Kalu called on Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious, and regional divisions to craft a constitution that reflects unity, justice, and progress for generations to come.
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