By Milcah Tanimu
The House of Representatives has inaugurated a 43-member Special Committee on Constitution Review with a mandate to amend the 1999 Constitution. The committee, led by Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House, has a 24-month deadline to submit its report. The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, stated that the constitution amendment process would be guided by transparency, oneness, inclusivity, and national cohesion. Abbas emphasized the need for engagement with various stakeholders, including traditional and religious institutions, pressure groups, trade unions, diaspora communities, and more. The review will focus on devolution of powers, state policing, fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, decongesting the exclusive legislative list, and promoting inclusivity, especially gender equity and women representation in elective and appointive positions. The committee is open to accommodating more proposals to enhance the constitution and strengthen democracy.
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