The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution will conduct public hearings on proposed constitutional amendments across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones from July 4 to 5.
The announcement was made in Abuja on Sunday by the Deputy Senate President and committee chairman, Senator Barau Jibrin, through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir.
According to the statement, the hearings will take place simultaneously in Lagos (South-West), Enugu (South-East), Ikot Ekpene (South-South), Jos (North-Central), Maiduguri (North-East), and Kano (North-West). The aim is to gather public input on various proposed amendments to the constitution.
Senator Barau stated that the hearings will address major constitutional issues, including local government autonomy, electoral and judicial reforms, the creation of new states, establishment of state police, and inclusive governance.
One of the proposed bills seeks to formally recognize local government councils as a constitutionally guaranteed tier of government, ensuring their democratic existence and tenure. Another bill aims to establish an independent National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC), which would be responsible for organizing and supervising local government elections.
Also to be discussed is a fiscal reform bill that would amend the constitution to set a timeframe for the President or state governors to present appropriation bills to the National Assembly or state Houses of Assembly.
The committee will consider a proposal for the inclusion of independent candidacy in elections at all levels.
On state creation, Senator Barau revealed that the committee has received 31 requests: five each from the South-West, South-South, and North-Central zones; seven from the North-East; six from the North-West; and three from the South-East.
The public hearings are intended to allow Nigerians across regions to contribute to the constitutional review process.
— NAN
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