The Chairman, conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin has assured Nigerians of the conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria’s readiness and commitment to the alteration of the 1999 as amended constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
speaking at the 10th House inauguration of Constitutional Review Committee at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Monday, 26th February, Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin while expressing delight on the important of the constitutional review and amendment said the conference among other things considered the issue of security and state police very importantly and charges that it should be seen as a fundamental aspect of national engagement in ensuing the amendment of the constitution.
Ogundoyin expresses confident in the State Houses of Assembly’s commitment to working strategically and assiduously in rectafying the submissions of the committee in the state assemblies of the 36 state of the federation.
Responding to questions from press men amidst the event, Ogundoyin makes case for local government autonomy and devolution of power.
Federalism is the new direction where local government autonomy and devolution of power will form the bastion upon which even development will be anchored on through corporative and healthy competition.
The Speaker of speakers, Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin further argued that the state instead of the federal should decide which number of local government areas/councils that will be effective and efficient for them depending on their peculiarities.
For the very first time, Nigerians are having consensus on federal from the opinion shared so far, and Nigerians are hopeful that this will materialized into the desired nation state and a perfect union.
Earlier, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who doubled as the chairman of the House Constitutional Review Committee, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu had assured Nigerians that equal opportunities will be accorded to all Nigerians to contribute their quota in the ongoing citizens’ engagement process which he describes as efforts to shape Nigeria’s future.
Kalu gave the assurance while delivering his opening remarks at the inauguration of the Constitution Review Committee of the House of Representatives.
Similarly, the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen while inaugurating the committee says it marks yet another significant moment in the nation’s democratic journey towards a more ‘perfect union’. “The inauguration of the House Committee on the Review of the Constitution (CRC) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is not just a ritual but a reflection of our collective resolve to ensure that the foundational document of our democracy evolves to meet the aspirations of all Nigerians. Our population in 1999 was about 120 million. However, by 2023, we had exceeded 220 million people. These rapid changes underscore the need to continuously transform the Constitution into a living and transformative document.
The Speaker while expressing his delightfulness in welcoming Mr. President, invited guests and development partners, who have come to witness the very important national assignment notes that since the inauguration of the 10th House on 13th June, 2023, the House has expressed its commitment to continuous law reform. Specifically adds that the House Legislative Agenda identified streamlining and improving the constitutional reform process as a cardinal objective. In this regard, he said the House is already working on a Constitution Alteration Procedure Bill to provide a framework and a timeline for the passage of Constitution alteration bills by the National Assembly and adoption by State Houses of Assembly. Posits that the early commencement of constitution review activities by the 10th House is yet another step towards actualising the House Agenda.
On the composition of the Committee, he said the committee is representative, comprising one member from each of the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT. Chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, while the House Leader, Hon. (Prof) Julius Ihonvbere, is the Committee’s Deputy Chairman.
To ensure greater inclusion, the Speaker says “the committee will also have six (6) additional women, one from each of the six geo-political zones. Furthermore, the House Zonal Caucus Leaders have been co-opted in an advisory capacity to advise the Committee on issues relating to their respective zones. Lastly, the Committee’s secretariat will also include a representative of people living with disabilities to ensure that their concerns are properly accommodated. The mandate of the Committee is to receive and consider proposals for alteration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), create a forum for stakeholders and the public to make inputs into the review process and collaborate with the Senate and the State Houses of Assembly as required by law.