Barring any changes, the House of Representatives will complete the activities for review of the 1999 Constitution in December 2025.
This just as 40 Constitution alteration bills are currently before the House and at various stages of consideration.
The deputy speaker and chairman of the House Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu disclosed this at the pre-inaugural meeting of the panel yesterday.
Kalu also announced that the committee will be formally inaugurated on February 26, 2024 and the pre-inaugural meeting was to expedite commencement of preparations, constituting the secretariat for constitution review, appointing consultants and drafting a work plan for the committee.
He explained that the proposed December 2024 date was to avoid conflict with electoral activities ahead of the 2027 general election which would advertently or inadvertently affect the alteration process.
“It is also the view of Mr. Speaker that we set a realistic timeline that does not conflict with electoral activities which would advertently or inadvertently affect the alteration process, specifically, December, 2025, the time we are looking at to conclude the activities of this committee.
“It is not out of place to guess that there is some level of fatigue in the Amendment process by some vocal sections of the populace. Whatever opinion you hold, it is important to let you know that we presently have 40 bills that are at various stages of consideration which relate to the alteration of the constitution.
“Second, we are well aware of our present challenging circumstances as a nation. The twin challenge of insecurity and economic difficulties could tamper with the confidence of our citizens. It is therefore our constitutional responsibility to respond to the 40 bills so far proposed and also to attend to the duty of the government to ensure the security and welfare of the citizens as provided by the Constitution,” Kalu said.
