President Bola Tinubuhas said the ongoing constitution amendment is another golden opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s institutions, deepen federalism, guarantee fundamental rights and promote justice, equity and accountability across all spheres of national life.
Tinubu stated this at the National Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review in Abuja on Monday.
Represented by the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, the president said the Constitution is the supreme law of the land which is not static, but a living document that must continually respond to the realities, aspirations and challenges of the people.
He said the engagement is particularly important as it resonated strongly with his Renewed Hope Agenda which seeks to enthrone good governance, inclusive development, assuring that its outcome would receive the deserved attention.
“The process you are undertaking today is therefore not only about amending legal provisions. It is about giving Nigerians renewed confidence that their voices matter in shaping the future of our democracy.
“I urge all participants to approach this exercise with a spirit of patriotism, responsibility, and constructive dialogue. The quality of ideas generated here will go a long way in shaping the laws and institutions that will serve generations yet unborn.
“On behalf of the Federal Government, I wish the Committee and all stakeholders fruitful deliberations, and I assure you that the outcome of this process will receive the deserved attention as part of our collective quest to build a stronger, more united, and prosperous Nigeria,” Tinubu added.
In his address, Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen assured that work on the Constitution review will be completed within the present legislative session, saying Nigerians are weary of constitutional reforms that drag on for years, losing momentum and eroding public trust.
“We intend to vote on the proposals expeditiously and to transmit them promptly to the State Houses of Assembly so that concurrence can be secured within the current legislative session. Reform delayed is reform denied, and Nigerians deserve clarity and closure.
“By acting decisively, we give the States enough time to debate, deliberate, and endorse the people’s will without the pressure of electoral calendars or political distractions,” he said.
Abbas said the proposals being considered cover a broad range of themes, reflecting the diversity and complexity of the federation, adding that few amendments in the review are as transformative as those under inclusive governance.
He noted that the reserved seats for women proposal will create additional seats in the National Assembly and State Assemblies to ensure that every state and senatorial district has women’s voices in lawmaking.
The speaker said similar provisions will ensure representation for persons with disabilities at the federal, state and local levels, recognising their right to fully participate in shaping the laws that affect their lives.
Abbas said another amendment requires a minimum threshold of women in ministerial appointments to ensure gender balance, noting that these measures will make the country’s democracy more representative, her policies more responsive and the nation more just.
According him, recognising traditional institutions is another important proposal as traditional rulers are stabilisers in their communities, mediators in conflict, and custodians of culture.
On his part, the deputy speaker of the House and chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said the House has before it 87 proposed amendment bills with each being a response to the felt needs and expressed desires of the Nigerian people.
He said the review covers extensive electoral reforms, including proposals for independent candidacy, the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission and a fixed timeline for the determination of pre-election matters to ensure that the will of the people is never again subverted by legal technicalities.
Kalu also said the House has before it proposals on the devolution of powers, seeking to move policing from the Exclusive to the Concurrent List, enabling the creation of state and community police forces, noting that it is a direct response to the clarion call for localised solutions to the country’s security challenges.
He further said the bills being considered seek to guarantee the financial and administrative independence of local governments, ensuring that development is not an abstract concept dictated from afar, but a tangible reality in our communities.
“Perhaps most importantly, we are confronting the systemic exclusion that has held our nation back. We also have transformative bills to create reserved seats for women in our legislative houses, to guarantee gender balance in government appointments,” he added.
Also speaking, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, insisted that constitution review must be in response to the realities, aspirations and challenges of the people such as security, justice and equity.
The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Suleiman who spoke on behalf of the body, assured that they will fulfill their obligation in the amendment process.
“We must be frank in acknowledging that Nigerians yearn for a constitution that guarantees equity and justice, strengthening institutions and above all addressing the pressing needs of security, local government and accountability.
“On our part, we are committed to playing our role in this process. We will continue to ensure that the voices of citizens are heard and that reforms agreed upon here are given the necessary ratification across our 36 Assemblies,” he stated.
In its presentation, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) supported the proposals on electoral reforms, devolution of powers and local government autonomy.
Represented by its liaison officer to the National Assembly, Miriyam Jatau’, the body of lawyers said it is excited by provisions which seek to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, address systemic delays in the administration of justice and called for the establishment of a local government election tribunal.
“The NBA supports the revolution of powers from the federal to the state and local governments. These include proposals of state police to address Nigeria’s security challenges and granting more fiscal autonomy to local governments.
“There is a consensus among stakeholders, including the NBA, that the federal government controls too much of the national revenue. The NBA, along with other civil society groups, is likely to support bills that aim to increase the political representation of women and other underrepresented groups,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of opposition political parties, deputy national legal adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okey Osuoha, called on the lawmakers to make clear provisions for electronic voting while supporting the general proposals for electoral reforms and devolution of power.
“…Before the 2023 election, there was this provision for electronic transmission of results that will make for transparency and a free and fair election. You should look into it and let the direction of the way we do elections and people will believe that their votes will be counted and it will be free and fair.
“Also, the devolution of power, look at that area. There should be need to amend it and bring more dividends to the state and local government. Look at the section of the constitution that provides for a joint account between the state and the local government. That’s where we are not getting it right now. So if you amend it, then the local government will receive their funds,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Council of Traditional Rulers demanded for constitutional recognition, saying they are not out to compete with political leaders but to support them in achieving the common good of the people.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who spoke for the monarchs said while traditional rulers had been excluded from the 1999 Constitution they still assist the government in policy implementation.
“We are here to collaborate, to complement you, so that you run this country much, much better. We don’t compete at all. We are here to complement and collaborate with all the programmes, all the policies that the government may bring. We mobilise our people, we encourage them, we make them understand because when we speak our own tongue, they understand better than what I’m speaking now, English.
“The 1999 constitution just removed our roles. Knowing very well from the past constitutions in Nigeria up to 1976, these roles have been very physically embedded in the constitution. The reason behind removing these roles is very much unknown to us. However, we continue to play our roles in mediating, and whatever issues of our people are brought before us.
“We see ourselves as a bridge linking the gap between the governing and the governed, which is actually causing a lot of problems now in security and other issues in this nation, because that gap has been broken between the level of governance and the people who are governed,” he added.
Also women with disabilities, called for increased inclusion in politics and other areas saying they were highly under-represented.
In a submission by the CEO of the Network of Women with Disabilities (NWD), Lois Auta-Udonkanta, the special group disability issues should be explicitly recognised as a protected category under the Constitution.
“As it is right now, we are at the zero percent level of participation in governance. We are excluded. We are underrepresented in every sector. As you see, it is time we move from exclusion to inclusion, from inclusion to participation, and from participation to representation.
“We also need to move from policy to practice. But before I go on, I sincerely and deeply want to appreciate the leadership of the 10th Assembly, the Senate and the Speaker, for including 5% for persons with disabilities, especially women.
“And we are also here to tell you that women with disabilities can become the best governors, the best senators, the best members of the House of Representatives, the best members of the State House of Assembly, and any elected or appointed positions. And don’t forget, there is productivity in disability. Disability affects every one of us,” she noted.
On their part, the National Youth Organisation of Nigeria in a presentation by its President, Okorie Okorie demanded for political inclusion through amendment of some sections of the constitution to guarantee 40% to 50% youth quota in appointments and remove barriers to youth candidacy.
