The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairperson of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, has urged leaders of Nigeria’s political parties to take ownership of the ongoing constitutional amendment process, stating that their participation will determine the legitimacy and sustainability of the proposed reforms.
Speaking at a consultative engagement with leaders of registered political parties on Monday in Abuja, Mr Kalu said the consultation marks another critical phase in what he described as the “most comprehensive and inclusive” constitutional review process in Nigeria’s democratic history.
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He said that while Nigeria had made remarkable progress since its return to democratic governance 26 years ago, the time had come for political leaders to collectively examine whether the 1999 Constitution still serves the aspirations of today’s Nigeria.
“Twenty-six years ago, Nigeria returned to democratic governance under the 1999 Constitution. It was a moment of great expectation. After decades of military rule, we dared to believe that a new era of freedom, justice, and prosperity was finally within reach.
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“The constitution we adopted was meant to be the bedrock of a new Nigeria, a Nigeria where power belonged to the people, where rights were guaranteed, and where institutions served the common good,” the deputy speaker said.
He noted that in the years since, Nigeria has conducted seven successive general elections and witnessed a peaceful transfer of power between political parties, a feat he described as evidence of democratic consolidation.
“Yes, Nigeria today is more democratic than ever before. We have conducted seven successive general elections. Power has changed hands peacefully between parties. Our civil society is vibrant. Our media is free.
“Our judiciary, though tested, remains independent. On the one hand, our democracy has deepened,” Mr Kalu added.
The deputy speaker added that beneath this progress lies “the uncomfortable truth” that many Nigerians still feel excluded from the promise of democracy.
“Women remain severely underrepresented despite constituting half of our population. Our local governments, which should be closest to the people, remain weak and financially dependent. Election disputes drag on for years, creating uncertainty and eroding public confidence,” he lamented.
Mr Kalu said the committee’s ongoing consultation was inspired by the need to re-evaluate whether Nigeria’s constitution still reflects the country’s present realities or remains tied to a bygone era.
“We must ask ourselves: is our constitution still fit for purpose? Does it reflect the Nigeria we are today, or is it anchored in the Nigeria of yesterday?” he asked.
According to him, political parties, as the primary channels through which Nigerians participate in governance, must play a central role in this reflection.
Committee’s broad consultations
Mr Kalu highlighted that the House Committee on Constitution Review has already conducted extensive engagements across the country, including retreats with legal scholars, dialogues with civil society organisations, consultations with security and intelligence agencies, traditional rulers, and professional bodies, as well as zonal public hearings in all six geopolitical zones.
The deputy speaker noted that the ongoing consultation with political parties was therefore not an afterthought but a deliberate effort to secure the participation of those who shape Nigeria’s democratic culture at its roots.
Key amendment proposals before the committee
Mr Kalu listed several bills before the committee that he said would “define the trajectory of Nigeria’s democracy for the next generation.”
Among them are bills seeking to guarantee women’s representation in legislative houses, grant full financial autonomy to local governments, and streamline the country’s electoral process.
“These are not abstract legal propositions,” he said. “They go to the heart of what it means to be a democracy. They determine whether our constitution will empower or merely permit democracy.”
He explained that the proposed amendments aim to address persistent structural weaknesses, such as the over-centralisation of power and the exclusion of women from decision-making.
He also hinted at reforms that would harmonise Nigeria’s electoral calendar to make elections more cost-effective and credible.
A call for consensus beyond party lines
Mr Kalu urged political parties to set aside ideological differences and work together in the national interest.
“You will not agree on everything, and that is the beauty of democracy,” he said. “But I ask you today to focus on what unites us, not what divides us. We all want elections that are free, fair, and credible. We all want a Nigeria where women have a voice, where local governments work, and where our Constitution commands the respect and allegiance of every citizen.”
The deputy speaker said goodwill alone would not sustain Nigeria’s democracy without strong institutions and clear constitutional rules that actively enable democratic governance.
Next steps in amendment process
Mr Kalu reminded the participants that constitutional amendments in Nigeria require a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and approval from at least two-thirds of state houses of assembly.
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“This means that the reforms we are proposing can only become law if they command broad national consensus,” he said. “And that begins here, in this room, with you.”
He urged the political leaders to study the bills, consult their party structures, and submit well-considered feedback to the committee.
A renewed call to strengthen democracy
In his closing remarks, Mr Kalu reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to inclusivity and transparency in the review process.
“To sustain our democracy in a changing world, we must change the way it operates,” he said. “We must empower local governments to serve their people. We must give women equal rights to participate in governance. We must make our elections credible and our constitution truly reflective of our values.”
The Monday engagement with political party leaders follows earlier consultations by the House Constitution Review Committee with civil society groups, traditional rulers, and professional associations.
The ongoing process aims to produce a new round of constitutional amendments that address long-standing issues of governance, inclusion, and accountability.
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