Constitution Review Must Meet Nigerians’ Yearnings, Kalu Tells Stakeholders

Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu has called for synergy among the consultants and the secretariats of the Senate and House Committees on Constitution Review to set the pace for effective collaboration to drive the ongoing exercise to a successful conclusion.

Kalu, who is the chairman, House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution made the call while delivering his remarks at the joint retreat of the secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House committees on the review of the constitution over the weekend.

The deputy speaker told the stakeholders that effective collaboration will drive the task to outcomes that would meet and satisfy the desires and yearnings of Nigerians.

He further asked the stakeholders to review the previous amendment proposals which were either not passed by the National/State Assemblies or were not assented to by the President, and consider how those issues can be re-introduced with a view to providing methods of processing them or an action plan that will ensure that reservations which led to their rejection are addressed.

Kalu reminded them that the constitutional alteration is a continuous process and must involve all Nigerians so as to empower the legislature to evolve a constitution that will address contentious issues that has bedevilled the nation since independence such as State Police, Special Seats for Women amongst others.
Noting that the 10th Assembly is building upon the legacies of the previous Assemblies that did a comprehensive work, which resulted in the President’s assent to 18 Constitution amendment Bills in the 9th Assembly, the deputy speaker commended the stakeholders for the “national sacrifice” and patriotism.
Kalu assured that the committee members in both Senate and House of Representatives will engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on different issues.

“As you are all aware, constitutional alteration is a continuous process and must involve all Nigerians regardless of their ideological leanings or beliefs, hence, our call for memoranda from all stakeholders and the general public.

As experts in your various fields of endeavour, I trust your judgements and I trust that the outcome of this exercise will move Nigeria forward.

“This will no doubt empower the legislature to evolve a constitution that will address contentious issues that has bedevilled the nation since independence such as: State Police; Local Government Administrative Autonomy; Local Government Financial Autonomy; Special Seats for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly, Expansion of the scope of citizenship by registration; Indigeneship rights.

“Affirmative action for women in political party administration; Affirmative action for women in Federal and State Executive Councils; and Electoral and Judicial Reforms. Furthermore, I have personally sponsored various Constitution (Alteration) Bills including that which is on State Police on which a National Dialogue was just concluded.

“We must evolve ingenious ways to protect and defend our citizens and cater for their welfare, in line with the sacred provisions of Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Altered). The Constitution amendment exercise, which is coming at a time when there appears to be agitations in the country, is expected to create a veritable platform for national engagement,” Kalu added.