The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has credited the remarkable progress made so far in the ongoing amendment process to the leadership of its Chairman and Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and the collective commitment of committee members.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the committee’s spokesperson, Hon. Philip Agbese, described Kalu as a visionary reformer whose intellect and inclusive leadership style have brought renewed energy and focus to the constitutional review process.
“Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s brilliance, foresight, and managerial competence have been the major driving forces behind the massive progress we’ve achieved so far,” Agbese said. “From day one, he set a clear roadmap, built consensus across party lines, and ensured that every member of the committee is actively engaged in producing a workable constitution for Nigeria.”
Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, added that under the guidance of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the House is determined to deliver a people-oriented constitution that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians from all walks of life.
He noted that the committee has displayed an uncommon level of seriousness and collaboration, with members demonstrating patriotism and diligence in the discharge of their duties.
“Our members are fully committed to this national assignment. The robust participation we’ve seen from lawmakers, civil society organisations, experts, political parties, members of the diplomatic community, and ordinary citizens has been unprecedented,” he stated.
According to him, the committee has received hundreds of memoranda from diverse stakeholders, including state governments, traditional institutions, professional associations, and advocacy groups. These submissions address key constitutional issues such as devolution of powers, special seats for women in parliament, gender equality, state police, and electoral reforms, among others.
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Agbese explained that the committee’s public hearings at the state, zonal, and national levels—as well as its technical sessions—were deliberately designed to ensure inclusiveness and transparency in the entire process.
“Deputy Speaker Kalu has ensured that this review process is not limited to Abuja. Nigerians in every part of the country have been given the opportunity to make their voices heard. This is why there is renewed public confidence in the process,” he said.
He assured that the committee would sustain the momentum as it moves into the next phase, which involves harmonising inputs from across the country and preparing a comprehensive report for presentation to the House.
“Our goal is to produce a constitution that truly serves the people—a document that deepens democracy, promotes equity, and strengthens national unity,” Agbese stressed.
He also commended Speaker Abbas Tajudeen for providing institutional support and lauded the synergy between the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly, describing it as a major factor behind the steady progress of the review exercise.
“With the quality of leadership and commitment we have witnessed, Nigerians can be hopeful that this constitution review will not go the way of the previous ones. It will leave behind a lasting legacy,” Agbese added.
It would be recalled that on September 22, the Constitution Review Committee held a national public hearing in Abuja as part of its ongoing nationwide engagement to gather inputs from Nigerians and other critical stakeholders on the constitution amendment process.