Constitutional Amendment Must Reflect Will of People -Deputy Speaker, Kalu
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representing, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu on Monday said that the parliament will ensure that the ongoing amendment process to Nigeria’s constitution will reflect the aspirations of the citizens.
He emphasized that the constitution should be a dynamic blueprint for the future that will command the respect and allegiance from every citizen by reflecting their hopes, values, and fundamental rights.
Kalu who doubles as the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review made the remarks while delivering his welcome address at the Constitution Review National Public Hearing in Abuja.
He recalled that since its inauguration, the Committee has undertaken the most comprehensive and consultative review process in Nigeria’s democratic history, organizing retreats with legal scholars and technical consultants, dialogues with the judiciary, security agencies, national women groups, engagements with civil society, and zonal public hearings across all six geopolitical zones.
He said: “From the colonial-era Clifford Constitution of 1922 to the current 1999 Constitution, each iteration of our grundnorm has been a mirror reflecting our society at a point in time, its aspirations, its anxieties, and its unresolved questions.
“The challenges of the 21st century demand a constitution that is not an
artifact of the past, but a dynamic blueprint for the future. It must be a
constitution that is not only legal but also legitimate; one that commands
the respect and allegiance of every citizen because they see their hopes,
their values, and their fundamental rights reflected in its text.
“This is the solemn mandate of the House of Representatives Committee on
Constitution Review. Since our inauguration, we have embarked on the
most comprehensive and consultative review process in Nigeria’s democratic history.
“We have held retreats with legal scholars and technical consultants, convened dialogues with the judiciary, security agencies, and national women groups, engaged with our vibrant civil society, and held zonal public hearings across all six geopolitical zones of our great nation.
“But let me be unequivocally clear: the ultimate authority for this process
does not reside in the executive or the legislature alone. It resides with you,
the sovereign people of Nigeria. Your voices, your memoranda, and your
passionate arguments have brought us to this point. And your continued
engagement is crucial to see this through.”
Kalu said that the House is considering 87 bills that touch on critical issues of public and national interest for the amendment of the Constitution.
“Before us is a compendium of 87 proposed amendment bills, each a
response to the felt needs and expressed desires of the Nigerian people. They are organized around the central pillars of a modern, functional, and just society.
“We are considering 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.
“We have before us bold proposals on the devolution of powers. The landmark bill to move policing from the Exclusive to the Concurrent List, enabling the creation of state and community police forces, is a direct response to the clarion call for localized solutions to our security
challenges.
“We are tackling, head-on, the long-standing issue of local government
autonomy. The bills before us seek to guarantee the financial and administrative independence of our 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 said.
Kalu also paid tribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) amongst other bodies and individuals for their support.
Specifically, the Deputy Speaker said that the visionary leadership of the President and his Renewed Hope agenda have created the political will and the enabling environment for the constitutional amendment.
He urged the people not to relent in their support and efforts to make the country better for all through a people-oriented constitution.
“I must commend the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His Renewed Hope agenda has created the political
will and the enabling environment for this ambitious constitutional renewal. His respect for the separation of powers and his commitment to the rule of law have been indispensable.
“In this spirit, I wish to specifically thank the Governors of all the states that generously hosted the regional public hearings for their hospitality and support.
“Constitutional reform is a marathon, not a sprint. The bills validated here
will face the rigorous scrutiny of the plenary, the complex process of
harmonization with the Senate, and the final, critical hurdle of approval by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly.
“Therefore, I implore you: do not let this be the end of your participation. Hold your elected representatives accountable. Engage with your state legislators. Ensure that the reforms you champion here today are not diluted or discarded on the long road to enactment”, Kalu said.
