₦airaland Forum

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR, has called on Nigerians, especially residents of Abia and Imo States, to take full ownership of the ongoing constitutional review process by demanding transparency, fairness, and accountability from public office holders.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX1SE97SrXM

Speaking on Saturday at the South-East Zonal Constitution Review Public Hearing held in Owerri, Imo State—the designated centre for Abia and Imo States—Kalu emphasized the critical role of public participation in shaping a constitution that reflects the hopes and values of all Nigerians.

“This is your Constitution. This is your moment. You are not just observers; you are stakeholders and co-authors of Nigeria’s next constitutional chapter,” the Deputy Speaker declared in a passionate appeal to participants at the event.

He urged citizens to freely share their ideas, memoranda, petitions, and aspirations, adding that the public hearings are designed to be a platform for collective national rebirth and reform. According to him, “Your robust contributions will ensure that the Constitution we produce is not just a legal document, but a social contract.”

The Owerri hearing is one of several zonal events taking place simultaneously across Southern Nigeria. A similar exercise had earlier been held in the northern region to garner nationwide input into the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, noted that the process is ongoing and complex, stressing that final approval would involve harmonization with the Senate and ratification by State Houses of Assembly.

He said the Committee is currently reviewing 87 constitutional amendment bills. These include critical areas such as judicial independence, electoral reforms, gender inclusivity, fiscal federalism, devolution of powers, state policing, and local government autonomy.

Kalu also made reference to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on local government elections, which has further reinvigorated the drive for grassroots autonomy.

“In line with that landmark decision, our committee has convened summits, dialogues, and stakeholder engagements to ensure inclusive reform,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his leadership and unwavering support for the constitution reform initiative.

“Under his stewardship, Nigeria has embraced a reform-heavy agenda... President Tinubu’s commitment to the rule of law, his respect for the legislature’s constitutional role, and his bold strides in governance reform have created an enabling environment for this historic review,” Kalu stated.

Source: https://abntv.com.ng/news/constitutional-reform-must-reflect-peoples-will-deputy-speaker-kalu-video/

The constitutional reviews won't add any value to the south east, all we want is referendum.

Let every state or region be in charge of their resources.

Nigerians are yet to tell themselves the truth . Nigeria needs to divide Abeg
The 3 major tribes have nothing in common .

All we say is no to indigeneship by residency, citizenship or being born by a non native!

Instead of the lawmakers to concern themselves in ensuring electoral reform that would make our electoral system reflective of the wishes of the people, some are busy advocating for State creation and other inanities.

Or mean SE will? If you think you and your fellow kinsmen can sneak in that your indigenship scam into our constitution, you're joking.

mrksquare:
Instead of the lawmakers to concern themselves in ensuring electoral reform that would make our electoral system reflective of the wishes of the people, some are busy advocating for State creation and other inanities.

Creating a sixth state in the southeast between Imo and Anambra States should be the number one preoccupation of the constitution review committee. The southeast people are not adequately represented in the National Assembly and the other federal government institutions.

cenaman:
The constitutional reviews won't add any value to the south east, all we want is referendum.

Let every state or region be in charge of their resources.

South East wants to be in charge of resources in the East but they are still fighting for street naming in Lagos.