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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has said it is confident that its Special Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended), which is chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, will deliver on its mandate.
The deputy spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese told journalists, that Nigerians can be assured that the review of the Constitution, which is scheduled to commence by the end of the month, will meet their expectations.
Agbese admonished interest groups championing alterations to various sections of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended) to work closely with their representatives in parliament. He noted that the committee would hit the ground running once it is inaugurated, later in the month.
According to him, “overtime, the National Assembly had made attempts to review the 1999 constitution, with the aim of amending some clauses and give it the 21st century life it deserves. Some of the times, the Parliament succeeded; and some other times, the Committee failed.
“Even in the dispensations that the committee succeeded, some amendments suffered rejections at the various Houses of Assembly in states, while some of the few clauses that managed to scale through are fast calling for a repeal or total overhauling.
“But with the Deputy Speaker, His Excellency, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu on the driver seat of the Constitution Review Committee of the 10th House of Representatives, Nigerians should go to bed and rest, with the assurance of waking up the next day to the realisation of their yearnings and aspirations.
“The Hon Benjamin Kalu-led Committee would collate opinions and liaise with various stakeholders, Civil Society Organisations, government agencies, multilateral and supranational agencies, as well as traditional rulers, women groups and private business minds who jointly drive the nation’s economy, to ensure a wholesome amendment to the Nigeria’s law book”.
Agbese added “already, there are about 40 bills at various stages in the National Assembly, seeking for the amendment of the 1999 constitution. Some seek to address issues of gender inequality, traditional institution, local government autonomy, fiscal federation and others.
“With the determination of Kalu-led Committee and the assurance that the Committee would round up by December, 2025; I urge stakeholders and proponents of those Bills to work closely with their representatives and the Committee, to enable it deliver on mandate and time.”
