Committee In The House Set To Deliberate On Constitutional Amendment Proposals

Committee In The House Set To Deliberate On Constitutional Amendment Proposals

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review is set to evaluate draft bills submitted for amending the 1999 Constitution during the final two weeks of September 2024. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the committee, previously announced that the panel has received 305 memoranda and 112 proposed bills addressing key issues such as fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, power devolution, and mayoral status for the Federal Capital Territory…..CONTINUE READING 

While the specific date for the review is yet to be determined, sources indicate that the committee will meet to receive updates from consultants on the progress of the review. One committee member, who requested anonymity, noted that this September meeting is a precursor to adopting the initial draft proposal.

The committee member explained, “The bills and memoranda are numerous, and while we prioritize them, we regard all submissions as significant. The upcoming meeting will focus on reviewing these draft bills and strategizing to ensure efficient progress. The secretariat will lead this process to finalize the first draft proposal.”

The initial proposal is expected to cover issues that resonate deeply with Nigerians, including state police, local government autonomy, electoral reforms, power decentralization, and resource control.

Another committee member emphasized that experts have been engaged to address various thematic areas, reflecting the diverse needs of the Nigerian state. Experts include Prof. Nuhu Jamo on local government matters, Barr. Mike Osuman on the judiciary, Samson Osagie on electoral issues, Usman Ibrahim on state police, and Prof. Anthonia Simbine on gender issues. Human rights and special matters are being handled by Mr. Chris Uche and Prof. Yusuf Yusuf, respectively.

The member stressed the importance of patience, noting that constitutional amendments require more than just parliamentary approval; they also need support from two-thirds of the State Assemblies. Therefore, citizens are encouraged to engage with their local representatives to ensure a comprehensive and effective constitutional reform.