Ongoing Constitution Review Remains Open, Inclusive, Citizen Driven – Reps

The House of Representatives has pledged to ensure that the ongoing constitution review process remains open, inclusive, and citizen-driven.

Chairman of the South-South Zonal Public Hearing, Kingsley Chinda, made the commitment during a stakeholders’ engagement in Calabar, Cross River State, where citizens, civil society groups, and community leaders presented memoranda on critical national issues.

“We are your servants,” said Chinda, who also serves as Minority Leader. “Today, we will not speak for you — we will speak with you.”

The event is one of the 12 regional public hearings organized by the House Committee on Constitution Review across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

The aim is to gather public input on more than 50 proposed constitutional amendments under consideration by the 10th National Assembly.

Chinda, while delivering goodwill messages on behalf of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the committee, assured the public of the House’s neutrality.

“The committee has no preconceived opinion. Your submissions will be received, heard, and treated,” he said.

He stressed the importance of orderliness and coordination, particularly in frequently proposed issues like state creation, urging participants to submit written memoranda to avoid duplication.

Chinda who is also the Minority leader of the house, also presented a compilation of over 60 amendment bills categorized under 13 thematic areas which include:

Electoral Reforms: Proposals on single-day elections and INEC appointments.

Judicial Reforms: Measures to improve case timelines and expand appellate courts.

Inclusive Governance: Reserved seats for women, youths, and people with disabilities.

Security: Establishment of state police.

Devolution of Powers: Shifting control of resources like minerals and water to state level.

Local Government Autonomy: Strengthening political and financial independence.

Fiscal Reforms: Enhancing transparency and oversight on public finance.

Human Rights: Ending suspect parades and adopting international treaties into domestic law.

Quoting late legal scholar Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Chinda reminded participants that the constitution forms the basis of democratic governance.

“It is the constitution that creates the organs of the government and clothes them with power,” he said.

He urged citizens to see the process as a civic responsibility, not just a legal formality.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji