Senate Commences Public Hearings on Constitution Review
Senate Commences Public Hearings on Constitution Review
The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has unveiled plans to hold comprehensive two-day zonal public hearings across the six geopolitical zones of the country. Scheduled for July 4 and 5, the hearings form a key part of a broader national consultation effort designed to gather citizens’ input on crucial matters that will shape the future of governance in Nigeria.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, said the public hearings would held simultaneously in Lagos (South West), Enugu (South East), Ikot Ekpene (South South), Jos (North Central) Maiduguri, (North East) and Kano (North West).
A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, Ismail Mudashir, revealed that the committee would entertain over 50 proposals addressing a wide range of national concerns — from local government autonomy to gender representation, state police, judicial timelines, and even the creation of new states.
“This is a critical moment for our democracy. We are calling on all Nigerians to be part of this national dialogue.
“The aim is to ensure that the voices of citizens are reflected in the constitution that governs them,” Barau said.
At the heart of the conversation are two bills seeking to grant full autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments.
One proposes constitutional recognition of local councils as a distinct tier of government, while the other recommends setting up an independent electoral body to oversee local elections — a move that could potentially free local politics from the grip of state governments.
The hearings will also spotlight hot-button issues like the creation of state police forces and state security councils to tackle insecurity with tailored local approaches.
In the area of fiscal governance, six bills have been proposed, including one mandating a timeline for governors and the president to submit annual budgets, and another strengthening the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to ensure accountability in public finance.
Additionally, 31 separate requests for new states — from all six zones — are on the table.
These include seven from the North East, as well as multiple proposals from the South-West, South-South, and North-Central.
The committee is also seeking to advance gender equity with a proposed bill to reserve additional legislative seats for women in both the National Assembly and state houses of assembly.
In a nod to Nigeria’s traditional institutions, another bill proposes the formal recognition and establishment of National, State, and Local Government Councils of Traditional Rulers.
Further highlighting the scope of the constitutional review, the Senate Committee revealed that proposed bills include provisions to grant voting rights to Nigerians living in the diaspora, as well as allow independent candidates to contest elections at all levels. These proposed amendments are aimed at deepening democratic participation and broadening the political space across the country.
In addition to electoral reforms, the committee also noted that over 20 bills focused on judicial reform have been submitted. These bills seek to enhance the efficiency of the judicial system by accelerating the delivery of justice and expanding the jurisdiction of election tribunals, ensuring quicker and more accessible legal recourse for electoral matters.
Emphasizing the importance of citizen involvement, the Deputy Senate President described the constitutional review as more than a legal exercise, calling it a vital democratic process. “This goes beyond a legal amendment — it is a democratic undertaking. Every Nigerian has a voice in the constitution. This is your chance to be heard,” he stated, urging citizens to actively participate in the upcoming public hearings.
