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By Philip Nwosu
The Joint Committee of the National Assembly on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has commenced a clause-by-clause consideration of proposed amendments to the nation’s constitution, marking another crucial stage in the ongoing constitutional reform process.
Speaking at the opening of the session, the Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin, commended members of both chambers for their sustained commitment to the exercise and reaffirmed the committee’s determination to deliver the first set of amendments to State Houses of Assembly before the end of the year.
“It has been a long journey to bring together the Senate and the House of Representatives on constitution amendment proposals cutting across several sections and diverse subjects,” Senator Barau said. “We have been on this process for the past two years, engaging constituents, stakeholders, institutions, civil society groups, and interest groups in town halls, interactive sessions, and public hearings.”
The Deputy Senate President disclosed that the committee has received nine amendment bills, 55 requests for state creation, and 278 proposals for local government creation, alongside two other major constitutional proposals.
He acknowledged that the task ahead is enormous but expressed optimism that the lawmakers would deliver on their promise to Nigerians.
“It is not going to be a simple task to achieve within two days, but I believe we can do it, especially as we have promised Nigerians that we will deliver the first set of amendments to the State Houses of Assembly before the end of this year,” he said.
Senator Barau urged his colleagues to approach the amendment process with open minds and a sense of patriotism, reminding them that the constitution serves as the fundamental ground rule for Nigerian nationhood.
“We represent constituents with diverse ethnic, religious, and socio-economic cleavages through different political platforms, but the constitution is a ground rule for Nigerian citizens and nationhood. We must approach it with patriotism and nationalism as higher shared goals,” he added.
He cautioned lawmakers against divisive debates or partisanship during deliberations, emphasizing that the focus should be on what best serves Nigerians.
“There should be no ‘we’ and ‘them,’ but the interests of Nigerians. The interest of Nigeria should be what should be in our minds,” Barau stated.
The Deputy Senate President also commended the committee’s consultants, led by Professor Auwalu Yadudu and Barrister Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), for their technical support, as well as the secretariat for their hard work in preparing the documents under review.
He concluded by expressing hope that the committee’s recommendations would meet the approval thresholds required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which governs the amendment process.
