Reps seek public input on 86 constitution amendment bills

The house of representatives says it is considering 86 constitution amendment bills.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives and chairman of the committee on constitution review, asked Nigerians to make inputs on the bills during the various zonal public hearings.

“Eighty-six constitution review bills currently under consideration in the house will be presented to the general public in the form of a compressed compendium consisting of a collation of explanatory memoranda, long titles and a comprehensive exposé of the bills for their inputs,” Kalu said.

“The bills, sponsored by members of the house, represent legislative efforts aimed at addressing various developmental challenges affecting governance practices in Nigeria.”

The deputy speaker said the bills’ thematic areas are electoral, judicial, and legislative reforms, inclusive governance, security and policing, devolution of powers, strengthening of institutions, and traditional institutions.

Others are fiscal reforms, citizenship and indigeneship, human rights, local government reform, and the creation of states and local governments.

Kalu asked Nigerians to download the summarised compendium of the bills at www.hccr.gov.ng.

He said the committee is committed to ensuring broader participation in the process.

“To achieve this, we will be embarking on zonal public hearings in 12 centres across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria,” he said.

Kalu said the public hearings will provide a platform for citizens, civil society organisations, professional bodies, traditional institutions, and other interest groups to express their views and contribute meaningfully to the constitutional reform process.

The deputy speaker said the zonal public hearings will be held between July 11 and 13 in six centres of the three geopolitical zones in the north.

The hearings in the south will be held from July 18 to 20, while the national public hearing is scheduled for July 21.

Kalu said the events would allow citizens to seek clarifications, critically examine the bills based on their subject matter, and contribute through constructive input.

“I call on all stakeholders and the general public to actively participate in the zonal and national public hearings,” he added.

“Your contributions and inputs are crucial to the success of this constitutional review process.”

He added that with participation, parliament can create an inclusive and effective constitution that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians.