House of Representatives Inaugurates Constitution Review Committee for 10th House

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has officially launched the constitution review committee for the 10th House, appointing his deputy, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, as the committee’s chairman. The House leader, Julius Ihonvbere, was named deputy chairman, while the House zonal caucus leaders will serve as advisory members to the committee regarding their respective zones.

The inauguration took place in Abuja, where Mr Abbas highlighted the necessity of reviewing the constitution due to the evolving nature of Nigeria’s population. He noted that Nigeria’s population has surged from about 120 million in 1999 to over 220 million in 2023.

The committee’s secretariat will include a representative of people living with disabilities to ensure their concerns are adequately addressed. The committee’s mandate is to receive and consider proposals for alterations to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and provide a platform for stakeholders and the public to make inputs into the review process. It will also collaborate with the Senate and state assemblies as required by law.

Since the Fourth Republic’s inception, the constitution has undergone five alterations, resulting in significant changes that have strengthened democratic institutions, federalism, and governance. The House has adopted a proactive strategy to ensure thorough engagement and deliberation in the review process.

The aim of the review is to make the constitution a dynamic and transformative document. Since the 10th House’s inauguration, lawmakers have demonstrated their commitment to reforming the nation’s laws to address current societal realities.

The committee’s composition is representative, with all 36 states of the Federation and the FCT having representatives. To enhance inclusiveness, the committee will also include six additional women, one from each of the six geopolitical zones.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Mr Kalu highlighted several areas that would be considered during the review. These include the establishment of state police, state access to mines, increased participation of women in politics, clear specification of taxes and levies to be collected by each tier of government, and provisions for the office of the Mayor of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Additionally, the committee will address several bill proposals that failed to receive the president’s assent during the Fifth Constitution alterations. These proposals include granting powers to the National and State Assemblies to summon the president and state governors, and directing government policies towards ensuring the right to food and food security.

Peoples Gazette