Constitution Review: NASS To Encourage Women’s Participation In Politics

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has said the Constitution Review Committee has concluded arrangements for an international legislative dialogue for women.

Kalu, also the House Committee on Constitution Review Chairman, disclosed this at the weekend when he gave remarks at a retreat for the committee’s consultants and secretariat in Abuja.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, the deputy speaker said the dialogue scheduled for October 28 in Abuja will enable the parliament to interface with women worldwide and other well-meaning Nigerians on ways to increase women’s political participation in the ongoing constitution amendment.

Speaking on the ongoing review exercise, the Deputy Speaker assured that the committees in both chambers were working hard and were optimistic about achieving the first set of amendments by December 2025.

He urged the consultants and stakeholders to be resolute in the tasks ahead and ensure that the outcomes meet Nigerians’ yearning, adding that they can only afford to succeed the citizens.

Kalu said: “I bring you greetings from the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, and Members of the House of Representatives, I thank you for all that you do as members of this committee in this national assignment and urge that we analyse the issues before us objectively and critically and reach a resolution that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians.

“I commend you for the work you’re doing while putting your tireless efforts towards concluding this exercise. I urge you all to be resolute, to deliver on this excellent task as we cannot afford to fail Nigerians, especially as leaders of thought continue to make input into the structure and nature of the work we are doing here, the nature of our democracy, the local government system, judiciary, we believe that the committee is in good hands and we’ll come back with what Nigerians can look at, and raise their confidence and trust on our justice system.

“The work is not easy, and making laws for the judiciary is not easy. God will give you more wisdom and tact in navigating around that. Thank you for being so dedicated. This is a sacrifice for nation-building. History will remember you; you will be remembered as those who crafted the new constitution. You’re writing your name in gold. I’m happy to say that our objective of achieving the first set of alterations by December 2025 is feasible with how we are going. I’m also pleased to inform you that the Senate has keyed into our timeline. So it’s achievable.

“Some of the activities in our work plan include national public hearings, follow-up retreats, joint retreats with the senate, engagement with state houses of assembly and Governors forum. I wish to emphasise that we should look at ways to increase women’s political participation. It’s essential. We have to find a way to make it easier for us to harvest their wealth of opinion on national policies and issues.”