House to Engage NGF, NGE, LG Chairmen, CSOs, Others over Constitution Review

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In a recent meeting, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, revealed key steps in the ongoing constitutional review process. The committee plans to engage vital stakeholders in the Nigerian project, including the Nigerian Governors Forum, the Nigeria Guild of Editors, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, leaders of all 18 political parties, and various civil society organizations.

Kalu announced that an international legislative dialogue focusing on women’s issues is scheduled for October 28, along with zonal public hearings set for January. He reassured Nigerians that the committee aims to deliver a revised constitution by December 2025. The primary goal of these engagements is to gather input from stakeholders and keep them informed on the committee’s progress.

He also mentioned that the committee’s work would be facilitated by subdividing tasks into smaller subcommittees, with additional members added as needed to ensure comprehensive representation.

Kalu emphasized that actionable recommendations arising from the women’s summit will be incorporated into the constitutional alteration process. The summit is seen as a significant step toward fostering political will and securing commitments from political leaders and stakeholders.

In related discussions, former governors Obong Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom State and Chief Segun Osoba of Ogun State voiced their concerns about the impact of the 1999 Constitution on governance in Nigeria. They spoke at the 2024 National Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN) in Abuja.

Attah, who served as the keynote speaker, criticized the 1999 Constitution, noting that it inherited structural flaws from the military regime that have hampered Nigeria’s federalism. He pointed out that the undermining of federalism has been a significant barrier to good governance and inclusive development. “The defilement of federalism has been the biggest drawback to good governance, inclusiveness, and development,” he declared, advocating for a thorough reassessment of the nation’s governance framework.

Osoba echoed Attah’s sentiments, stressing the critical importance of food security. He argued that a self-sufficient nation holds significant power and commended the forum for its unwavering commitment to national progress, emphasizing the need to transcend party lines for the betterment of Nigeria’s future.