The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, at a consultative session with the National Chairmen, secretaries and women leaders of the registered political parties in Abuja on Monday stated that Nigeria needs a constitution capable of allowing its democracy to thrive.
Kalu addressing the audience, said although the nation has witnessed a giant leap in its democratic journey since 1999, more needs to be done to make democracy work not only on paper but in reality, for the benefit of Nigerians.
Recall the 10th House of Representatives under Tajudeen Abbas, in conjunction with the Senate, is reviewing identified clauses of the 1999 Constitution in a bid to deepen governance and make democracy count for the people.
Kalu, who is also Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review and committee and his team had embarked on a nationwide tour of the six geo-political zones recently, holding stakeholders’ engagements with various groups, and has promised to make available the final draft of a reviewed constitution to the parliament for consideration and adoption in December 2025.
The Abia born lawmaker called on leaders of the political parties to study the bills before them and make their input known to the committee for possible consideration and adoption.
“We need a constitution that does not just permit democracy, but actively enables it. Here, we are considering bills that seek to streamline our electoral process, reducing the endless litigation that undermines the will of the people.
”These are not abstract legal propositions. These are reforms that go to the heart of what it means to be a democracy. And they require your input. 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. 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,” he said.
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