The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has successfully secured the support of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) for the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution. This follows a productive engagement held in Abuja on Wednesday evening, where Kalu and key House officials presented their vision for the amendments.
Speaking after the meeting, Kalu, who chairs the House Constitution Review Committee, emphasized the governors’ critical role as leaders of sub-national governments. He highlighted their influence in ensuring the success of the constitutional amendment process.
“The governors are major stakeholders, and without the federating units, there is no Nigeria. If you ignore them, the wheel of progress toward realizing our objectives with this constitutional review will be slowed down,” Kalu stated.
Kalu noted that the governors expressed their full support for the review and contributed valuable insights to the discussions. Their involvement, he said, is pivotal to achieving a constitution that reflects the aspirations of all Nigerians.
The Deputy Speaker announced plans to visit states and geopolitical zones to gather public input on the thematic areas of the review. He revealed that the committee has identified 161 sections of the constitution for possible amendments and intends to share detailed breakdowns in subsequent meetings.
To enhance collaboration, governors were asked to appoint liaisons to interface with the Constitution Review Committee. This initiative aims to facilitate faster feedback and smoother coordination between the federal and state governments.
Kalu underscored the importance of securing two-thirds approval from state Houses of Assembly for the amendments. Engaging governors early in the process, he said, would ensure smoother deliberations when the amendments reach the states.
While specific amendments were not prioritized, Kalu noted that discussions touched on various thematic areas of national interest. The governors demonstrated openness and a commitment to reforms that would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and unity.
Commending the governors for their professionalism and nationalist outlook, Kalu remarked, “The governors were open-minded towards all areas we are trying to review. They listened and, as leaders of this nation, focused on what will move the nation forward rather than being fixated on any particular issue.”
The Constitution Review Committee plans to intensify its engagements with governors, state assemblies, and the public. The goal is to ensure broad-based participation and consensus in crafting amendments that address Nigeria’s governance challenges.
The collaboration between the federal legislature and governors signals a new approach to constitutional reform, one rooted in inclusivity, transparency, and national unity.