Constitution Amendment: We’ve Received Over 200 Bills –Kalu

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has said the House received over 200 bills seeking alteration of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as emended).

He said the committee had received 31 requests for state creation but none of them met the constitutional requirements, prompting an extension of the submission deadline to March 5, 2025 to enable the applicants to fulfill the relevant provisions.

Kalu stated this at the commencement of a retreat for members of the constitution review committee of the House holding at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State yesterday.

The deputy speaker who is also the chairman of the committee said the bills reflect the collective commitment to refine governance in Nigeria, with some of them progressing to the second reading stage and others remaining at the first reading at the moment.

The committee’s objectives for the retreat included reviewing bills, incorporating input from consultants, familiarising members with bill contents, prioritising bills based on national interest, and preparing for zonal public hearings and a joint/harmonization meeting with the Senate.

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The bills, already categorised into thematic areas, are aimed at addressing a wide range of issues, including federal structure and power devolution, local government autonomy, public revenue, fiscal federation, revenue allocation, and electoral reforms.

Kalu said: “Distinguished colleagues, currently we have 151 House bills before us. But I’m sure these numbers are the last count before the recent additions. My office has been told that there are about 250 constitutional amendment bills that will pass through the House for this committee. This bill reflects our collective commitment to refining governance in Nigeria.

“While some have progressed to the second reading stage, others remain at the first reading stage. But it is our intention that by the time we are done with our conversation during this retreat, we progress those bills at the first reading stage for them to be given expedited hearing. The compilation process has revealed instances of duplication—whether by sponsors or overlapping subject matters.”

The deputy speaker disclosed that a situation room would be opened to collate and address other concerns of Nigerians in the course of the constitution amendment process, urging the lawmakers to ensure that the people are carried along.