President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and promoting inclusivity.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, Tinubu made this known at the opening of a Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in Abuja.
The President described the ongoing review as a “golden opportunity” to entrench good governance, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
> “The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It is not static, but a living document that must continually respond to the realities, aspirations, and challenges of our people,” Tinubu stated.
He praised the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, for providing an inclusive platform that accommodates citizens, civil society groups, political parties, professional bodies, and traditional institutions. According to him, the process aligns with his Renewed Hope Agenda.
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Speaker Abbas Stresses Participatory Governance
In his remarks, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, reaffirmed his dedication to participatory governance and inclusiveness.
He commended the Kalu-led committee for its diligence, noting that their work demonstrates that constitutional amendments must be driven by the voices of Nigerians before becoming legislative decisions.
Abbas cited the publication of a Summarised Compendium of Bills, the creation of online portals for feedback, the open call for memoranda, and the active participation in zonal sessions as evidence of a people-driven process.
> “This reflects the House of Representatives’ steadfast commitment to participatory governance and inclusive nation-building, affirming that every Nigerian has a meaningful voice in shaping the document that defines our republic,” Abbas said.
He also emphasized that Nigerians are tired of reforms that drag on for years, stressing that “reform delayed is reform denied.”
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Focus on Gender Inclusion and Representation
The Speaker highlighted the importance of gender inclusivity, lamenting that women currently occupy less than five percent of seats in the National Assembly. He described the figure as unacceptable for a country of Nigeria’s size and ambition.
To address this, he explained that proposals under consideration include the creation of reserved seats for women in both the National Assembly and State Assemblies, ensuring that every state and senatorial district has female representation.
According to Abbas, this is not mere tokenism but a constitutional strategy to accelerate gender inclusion until systemic barriers are removed.
He added that the reform proposals also include:
Guaranteed representation for persons with disabilities at federal, state, and local levels.
Mandatory thresholds for women in ministerial appointments to achieve gender balance.
“These measures,” he said, “will make Nigeria’s democracy more representative, our policies more responsive, and our country more just.”
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Recognition of Traditional Institutions
Abbas further acknowledged the crucial role of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s governance system, describing them as stabilizers in their communities, mediators in conflict resolution, and custodians of cultural heritage.
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Deputy Speaker Kalu Advocates Devolution of Powers
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu emphasized the need for devolution of powers to strengthen federalism. He revealed that one of the landmark proposals is to empower states and communities to establish policing systems tailored to their security needs.
Kalu also underlined the importance of granting full autonomy to local governments, stressing that financial and administrative independence is essential for effective grassroots governance.
He assured Nigerians that the reform proposals are based on citizens’ demands rather than legislative imposition.
> “The ultimate authority for this process resides with you, the sovereign people of Nigeria,” he declared.
