Tag: Constitution Review

…As Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat, Alaafin of Oyo, Owoade, storm public hearing in Lagos

Prominent stakeholders across all states in the south-west, on Friday, converged in Lagos for the zonal public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution, where the Senate observed that previous amendments did not resolve several fundamental questions of governance affecting Nigeria.

Also, the Red Chamber noted that diverse initiatives it promoted to introduce state police, enhance the roles of traditional institutions in the constitution and devolve more powers to subnational governments, among others, in the previous amendments did not secure two-thirds approval at the state assemblies.

Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Adhoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Barau Jibrin, made these observations at the zonal public hearing on the review of the constitution in Lagos.

At the public hearing were Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Southwest Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ọjájá II); Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom, Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Oba Adewale Shotobi and Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeniyi Ajakaye, among others.

Since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, the National Assembly had made five different attempts to review the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), each of which had culminated in some amendments in the grundnorm.

Represented by the Leader of the Senate and Vice Chairman of the Senate ad-hoc committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, at the public hearing, Barau observed that previous amendments did not tackle several fundamental issues of national importance confronting the federation.

Barau, thus, spoke passionately on the need “to come up with a Constitution that will address the fundamental issues confronting Nigeria.”

“In response to the demands of Nigerians, the National Assembly has enacted five amendments to the Constitution, known as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Alteration Acts.

“These amendments tackle various issues related to good governance, institutional strengthening, and national aspirations.

 “However, several fundamental issues of national importance remain unresolved, requiring more than just routine law-making by the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

“These issues continue to dominate public discourse, with many Nigerians advocating for legislative action to address them. We received hundreds of memoranda addressing key issues that have not yet been resolved by the previous amendments, mainly due to a lack of national consensus and the evolving dynamics of modern governance.”

He, thus, highlighted several fundamental issues that had not been decisively addressed to include electoral reforms and adjudication; judicial reforms focused on case management and administration; enhancement to local government administration, involvement of traditional institutions in contemporary governance, ensuring gender equity and inclusion in governance; devolution and distribution of powers and concerns related to security and policing, among others.

Read Also: Constitution review: Reps to consider 46 new states, 117 LG creation requests

Barau added that the Committee “has carefully reviewed and drafted all the memoranda that we have into bills. We are now presenting them to you all for further input and discussion.

“Members of the committee hold no preconceived opinions to impose upon you but are committed to being guided by legislative practices grounded in the highest ethical standards, integrity, open-mindedness, and patriotism.”

Commending the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution for organising the public hearing, Sanwo-Olu observed that the challenges confronting the federation “are significant and wide-ranging.”

He highlighted some of the challenges to include the pursuit of genuine federalism and the devolution of powers; empowering and enhancing our local governments; establishing new states to bring governance closer to the people; reforming the electoral and judicial systems, boosting the involvement of women and youth in political landscape and ensuring the security and welfare of the citizens, including the crucial discussions around state policing.

According to him, the challenges go beyond just constitutional concerns; they strike at the heart of what it means to be Nigerian. They reflect shared aspirations for a fairer, more equitable, and thriving nation.

He, therefore, noted that the decision of the Senate “to hold the hearing in Lagos highlights the city’s vital role in the development of our nation’s democracy. The meeting is not just another chapter in our constitutional history.

“It is a special and invaluable chance for the people of Lagos and the entire South West region to have a direct and meaningful say in shaping our nation’s highest law. The Constitution is the foundation of our democracy, outlining our rights, responsibilities, and the very framework of our governance.

“As we embark on this critical process of reviewing our constitution, we must be guided by the principles of inclusiveness, equity, and justice. It is crucial that we listen to everyone, men and women, young and old, from all corners of our communities. Their hopes, worries, and dreams should shape the amendments that come out of this process.

“We must be guided by the principles of inclusiveness, equity, and justice. It is crucial that we listen to everyone—men and women, young and old, from all corners of our communities. Their hopes, worries, and dreams should shape the amendments that come out of this process.”

Also, speaking on behalf of state assemblies in the South-west, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly/Southwest Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye pledged to support the National Assembly in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.

According to him, the State Houses of Assembly will give due consideration to all proposals before the National Assembly. When transmitted to the state legislatures, we are going to consider all the bills purely in the national interest.

The House of Representatives Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution is considering about 46 requests for the creation of new states and 117 requests for new local government areas across the 36 states of the federation.

The House Committee is also considering two. Requests for boundary adjustment as well as about 86 Constitution amendment bills passed by the House.

The North Central is leading the pack for the request for new states with 12 requests, followed by the South West with 8 requests, the North West and South-south have 7 requests each, while the North East and South East have 6 requests each.

The North East has 22 requests for the creation of a new local government, the North West has 14 requests, North Central has 21 requests, South East has 24 requests, Southwest has 12 requests, while the South-South has 24 requests.

Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review and Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, said he segmented all the memoranda and bills received by the committee into different categories to aid the public in making their contributions to the process.

He listed the areas of attention as Electoral Reforms, Judicial Reforms, the Legislature, Inclusive Governance, Security and Policing, Devolution of Powers, Strengthening of Institutions, Traditional Institutions, Fiscal Reforms, Citizenship and Indigeneship, Fundamental Human Rights, Local Government Reform, as we’ll as Creation of States & Local Governments.

Kalu asked Nigerians to participate fully in the process of reviewing the 1999 constitution to bring it to our expectations, saying those who refuse to participate in the exercise should not complain later.

He said the continuous review of the Constitution is necessary as the nation’s democracy advances because it will enhance the development of the country, since there are always areas of improvement on the nation’s legal document.

He said the House Committee was committed to ensuring broader participation by Nigerians and other critical stakeholders in amending the Constitution and has therefore segmented the country into 12 zones for effective coverage during the public hearing, which will be held in two houses.

The first phase which is scheduled to hold between July 11 and 13 will take place in Kaduna and Sokoto for the North West, Minna and Lafia for the North Central as well as Gombe and Borno for the North East.

The second phase scheduled for July 18 to 20 will take place in Lagos and Akure for the South West, Yenagoa and Calabar for the South South as well as Enugu and Owerri for the South East, while the national public hearing will hold on Monday, July 21, 2025 in Abuja.

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 Kalu said these “hearings are designed to provide an open platform for citizens, civil society organisations, professional bodies, traditional institutions, and other interest groups to express their views and contribute meaningfully to the constitutional reform process.

He said further that “86 Constitution Review Bills currently under consideration in the House will be presented to the general public in the form of a compressed compendium consisting of a collation of explanatory memoranda, long titles and a comprehensive exposé of the Bills for their inputs.

“The Bills, sponsored by Members of the House, represent legislative efforts aimed at addressing various developmental challenges affecting governance practices in Nigeria.

He said the bills have been summarized in a compendium as reference material to all stakeholders and members of the public during the Zonal Public Hearings, thereby enabling them to understand the legislative proposals.

The compendium, he said is also to facilitate public engagement by allowing citizens to seek clarifications, critically examine the Bills based on their subject matter, and contribute through constructive input, while fostering the exchange of ideas during the Hearings, thereby providing Members of the House with valuable insights into the expectations and concerns of their constituents and the wider public.

This, he said, will help guide their legislative actions and inform their decisions when the Bills are brought up for voting, while also providing feedback to members of the public who submitted memoranda, informing them whether and how their concerns have been addressed in the proposed amendments.

He called on all stakeholders and the general public to actively participate in the zonal and national public hearings, as their contributions and inputs are crucial to the success of the constitutional review process.

The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has announced that zonal public hearings will be held in 12 states across Nigeria from July 11 to July 20, 2025.

Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Committee, Benjamin Kalu, disclosed this during a meeting with consultants and Secretariat staff. He explained that the public hearings would take place in two phases—northern states from July 11 to 13, and southern states from July 18 to 20.

The purpose of the zonal hearings, Kalu said, is to gather citizens’ input on proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution. 

The hosting cities are Minna, Niger state, Lafia, Nasarawa state, Kaduna, Sokoto, Gombe, Maiduguri, Yenagoa, Calabar, Enugu, Owerri, Lagos and Akure, the Ondo state capital

Kalu said that through the public hearings, the committee aims to ensure that the voices of all Nigerians are heard and their concerns addressed in the constitutional review process.

He said: “We have the northern geopolitical zones that will last between Friday, 11th of July to Sunday, 13th of July. And in this northern geopolitical zone, we are looking at north central, north west and north east. 

“For the north central, we have center A which is going to be Minna center for Niger Kwara and Kogi. So, Kogi, Kwara and Niger will be using Mina as their center. Then center B, we have Lafia Center for Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue States, and the FCT.

“We have the North West, we have Kaduna as a center for Kaduna, Kano Jigawa and Kasina States. And then we have center B for North West. Center B for North West is Sokoto. Sokoto will serve as a center for Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi. 

“For North East, we have Gombe as a center for Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba state. Center B, Maiduguri is the Center for Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state.

Read Also: Constitution Review: Kalu seeks Australia, Rwanda’s collaboration on mining reforms, gender equity, security

“The southern geopolitical zones will commence from Friday, 18th, July to 20th July. And we have south south, south east and south west. Under the south south, we have Yenegua as the Center for Bayelsa, Edo and Delta States. 

“Then, we have Calabar as a center for Cross River State, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States. 

“For the south east, Enugu is the Center for Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states. And then, the center B is Owerri center for Imo and Abia States. 

“For the South West, we have Lagos as the center for Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States. The center B for the South West is Akure. It’s a center for Ondo Osun and Ekiti States”.

Kalu further stated that the committee is prioritizing amendment bills on gender bills and inclusive governance, security and police reforms, fiscal reforms, judicial reforms and devolution of powers.

“The current constitutional review process is perhaps the most comprehensive in our nation’s history, addressing fundamental issues that touch on governance, security, fiscal federalism, and inclusive representation. We are currently considering prioritized constitutional amendments, grouped into thematic areas that reflect the aspirations and concerns of the Nigerian people “, he said. 

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for support from the Australian and Rwandan governments for Nigeria’s efforts to promote women’s representation in governance, improve security, and build a resilient mining sector, among other initiatives.

Kalu, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, spoke during separate meetings with delegations from the Australian and Rwandan Embassies in Nigeria, led by Leilani Bin-Juda and Christopher Bazivamo, respectively, in Abuja.

Addressing the delegation from the Australian Embassy, the Deputy Speaker noted that Nigeria is endowed with a wealth of natural resources, and the mining industry presents a tremendous opportunity for growth and development.

Recognising Australia’s expertise in mining and resource management, Kalu sought their collaboration in sharing best practices, technology, and sustainable methods that ensure the responsible extraction of the nation’s mineral resources.

He urged the Australian partners to continue supporting Nigeria’s efforts to promote gender equality and human rights through the ongoing constitution review process, expressing optimism that their experiences and strategies in advancing women’s rights could provide invaluable insights as they navigate this journey.

Kalu also informed the delegation that discussions are ongoing regarding the re-evaluation of capital punishment within the legal framework, as this complex issue requires careful consideration and dialogue.

He added that as alternatives to capital punishment, the aim is to align policies with international human rights standards while respecting the sentiments of Nigerian citizens.

He said, “Our goal is to create an enabling environment that attracts foreign investment while ensuring that local communities benefit from mining activities. By advancing partnerships with Australian mining companies, we can enhance job creation, boost local economies, and ensure that our natural resources contribute to the overall development of Nigeria.

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“Ongoing Constitutional Amendments, The constitution review committee is currently engaged in significant constitutional amendments that seek to address pressing issues within our society. Among these are the Gender Bills, which address the reservation of seats for women in our legislative bodies. This initiative is crucial for enhancing women’s representation in governance, which is essential for a balanced and equitable society.”

Addressing the delegation from the Rwandan Embassy, the Deputy Speaker sought enhanced cooperation between the two nations, noting that they both share a commitment to enhancing peace, stability, and development in the region and beyond.

“The bonds we have forged over the years are proof of our mutual respect and understanding, and I am optimistic about the potential that lies ahead. As we reflect on our bilateral cooperation, it is essential to emphasise the important role of inter-parliamentary collaboration.

“Legislative bodies in our countries are instrumental in shaping policies that promote economic growth, social development, and cultural exchange. By enhancing dialogue between our parliaments, we can ensure that our legislative frameworks align with our shared goals and aspirations.

“In particular, as Nigeria embarks on a significant constitutional review process, we seek collaboration and insights from Rwanda, especially in key thematic areas such as Gender and Security. Your nation’s exemplary progress in gender representation, with women holding 63.75% in the Chamber of Deputies and 53.8% in the Senate—the highest in the world—provides a valuable model for us to learn from,” Kalu said.

Earlier, the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Leilani Bin-Juda, stated that their interests range from mining, trade, and investment, amongst others.

She said, “I love Nigeria. There are many interests that we have bilaterally in this country. We held senior officials talks with the ministry of Foreign Affairs in January, It was extremely constructive, many issues were discussed particularly in the mining sector. Our interest here in Nigeria ranges from mining, trade, investment and so on. We are about to launch a project with the Minister of Mines and Steel in a couple of weeks.”

On his part, Rwandan Ambassador to Nigeria, Christophe Bazivamo said the purpose of their visit is to explore how both nations can strengthen institutional linkages between the legislative bodies.

He sought for legislative collaboration in oversight, legislative drafting, and the use of innovation, technology in parliamentary activities, formation of Nigeria-Rwanda parliamentary friendship group and so on.

The Speakers of 36 Houses of Assembly have vowed to give priority to the constitution review  through accelerated hearing.

They have also adopted the ‘Harmonised Standing Orders’ for the state Parliaments.

The Speaker  brainstormed on the proposed constitution review, with a view to taking a common position on matters of common interest.

The ratification of the harmonised orders was conducted in Lagos by the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly and Chairman of Conference of  Speakers of State Legislatures, Adebo Ogundoyin.

The Speakers converged on the Lagos Continental Hotel, Ikoyi, where the Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung in Nigeria, Marija Peran, urged them to strive at efficient legislative governance.

At the conference were the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.

At the conference, Dr. Shuaibu Danwanka, NILDS Legal Adviser, spoke on the background, objectives, issues of uniform standing orders in the House of Assembly.

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Former Clerk of the House of Assembly Niyi Ajiboye spoke on the proposed draft for the Harmonised Standing Orders.

Prof. Adetunji Ogunyemi of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, spoke on the History of Constitution Reviews in Nigeria: The necessity, succeses and lessons for the future, and ‘Fiscal federalism and local government autonomy: The political economy of constitution reviews.’

Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kannike (SAN) highlighted the key issues in the 2025 Constitution Review, and the import of collaboration between the National Assembly and Houses of Assembly during constitution reviews: challenges and lessons for the future.

Ogundoyin, who welcomed his colleagues to the conference, highlighted the role of the Houses of Assembly in the ongoing review, saying that “as the closest representatives to the grassroots, our inputs are pivotal to shaping the legal and institutional framework of our nation.”

He stressed: “We must ensure that our deliberations and resolutions reflect the aspirations of our people and the principles of democracy, justice, and good governance.

“To this end, I would like to pledge the commitment of the Conference of Speakers to giving the amendment a full support and accelerated hearing.”

Ogundoyin said Nigera was set to make history with the introduction of a harmonized standing order the Houses of Assembly.

He said: This monumental step forward, which began in 2021 is not just a procedural reform ; it is a strategic step towards strengthening the efficiency, transparency, and uniformity of legislative operations across all State Houses of Assembly.

“By standardising our legislative rules, we are enhancing collaboration, improving legislative oversight, and ultimately ensuring a more responsive and accountable governance framework at the sub-national level.”

Ogundoyin added: “We are happy to draw inspiration from the our partner – the German Government and the United States of America, whose fifty States operate a centralised standing order.

“In the African continent, South Africa and Rwanda stand tall in this regard, and Nigeria is set to join the list of countries with harmonized legislative frameworks, further solidifying our commitment to democratic governance and institutional strengthening.”

Ogundoyin emphasied that the impact of the reforms embarked by the Speakers would largely depend their commitment to their adoption and implementation at the state level.

He urged the Conference of Speakers to work collectively towards strengthening the state legislative institutions and reviewing the constitution “to respond to evolving political, socio-economic, religious, regional, and ethnic concerns of citizens, communities, and interest groups, especially women.”

Peran said these orders serve as the backbone of legislative procedures, ensuring consistency, transparency and efficiency in legislative proceses.

Peran said the objective is to create a standardised approach that fosters collaboration, reduces procedural discrepancies and enhances the overal effectiveness of the legislative bidies.

Peran said as the constitution review proceeds, here should be a focus on the principles of true federalism and local government autonomy.

She said:”The political economy of constitution reviews demands a careful balance between central authority and locak governance, ensuring that the constitutional framework supports sustainable development and equitable resource distribution  And there are many more serious topics as security and female representation.”

Sulaiman urged the lawmakers to reflect deeply on the lessons from Rivers, Lagos States and other similar incidents in the past.

He said: “A harmonised framework for legislative rules across the states will help promote consistency in parliamentary practice, strengthen legislative independence, and create safeguards against undue executive and judicial interventions.” Sulaiman, a former National Planning minister,  said “the 2025 Constitution Review offers us a strategic platform to introduce reforms that will reinforce legislative stability and prevent disruptions that weaken our democratic institutions.”

He said: “Among the key areas that merit our attention in this workshop is the standardisation of Standing Orders to ensure procedural clarity, uniformity in legislative conduct, and the protection of legislative autonomy.

“By doing so, we can build a resilient legislative system where state assemblies operate effectively, free from external disruptions. Additionally, our discussions on the Constitution Review should examine and explore provisions that will further guarantee legislative continuity, clarify the procedures for resolving legislative disputes, and strengthen the role of state legislatures in democratic governance.”

Sulaiman said as leaders, the Speakers have the responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the legislative process.

He added: “This workshop will facilitate knowledge-sharing, technical expertise, and collaborative approaches to building stronger, more effective state legislatures. NILDS remains committed to providing the necessary technical support, research, and training to ensure that the outcomes of this workshop translate into tangible legislative reforms.”