Reps Announce Date To Commence Public Hearing On 1999 Constitution Review

The deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has announced that the zonal public hearing regarding the proposed review of the 1999 Constitution is set to commence on July 11.

During a statement made on Wednesday, where he revealed the timeline for the committee on constitution review, Kalu indicated that the public hearings will occur across the six geopolitical zones.

He specified that the hearings for the north-east, north-west, and north-central geopolitical zones are planned for July 11 to 13, while the hearings for the south-east, south-south, and south-west will take place from July 18 to 20.

Kalu, who leads the House committee on constitution amendment, further mentioned that the national public hearing is scheduled for July 21.

He emphasized that zonal chairmen and their deputies are expected to coordinate with the states within their jurisdictions to ensure robust participation in their respective zones, he stated.

“As discussed in our previous meetings, the committee is poised to subject the 87 prioritised bills that have passed second reading to public hearings in each of the six geopolitical zones,” Kalu added.

The deputy speaker announced that the house will conduct a plenary debate lasting one week (from October 7 to 9) regarding the bills, with voting anticipated to occur on October 14.

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He indicated that the bills are to be sent to state assemblies by October 30.

Additionally, the deputy speaker detailed further activities planned by the constitution review committee.

He mentioned that discussions with political party leaders are scheduled for July 14 in Abuja.

Kalu stated that a meeting with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to garner support for the constitution alteration bills is set for July 23.

The joint constitution review committee, comprising members from both the senate and the house, will convene with the speakers of the 36 state houses of assemblies during a retreat aimed at harmonizing the bills, which will take place between September 25 and 28.

A diplomatic dinner hosted by the constitution review committee, intended to seek support and collaboration from the diplomatic community on key issues such as gender, security architecture, and state policing, has been arranged for July 20.

The committee is also scheduled to meet with civil society organizations and community-based organizations on July 3.
“The engagement will bring expertise and alternative perspectives to the constitutional review process, helping to shape our legislative decisions by highlighting deficiencies and proposing further debates,” Kalu said.

“It will also promote transparency, accountability and inclusivity in the processes by ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and engaged.”

Kalu said interaction with the Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), to entertain public discussions, debates, and education on constitutional issues, will take place on July 8.

“The media can play a vital role in ensuring the constitution review process is inclusive, transparent, and the public is well-informed,” Kalu said.

He admonished the committee members to “work assiduously” to ensure the bills are passed by December 2025.