Constitution review: N/Assembly targets Dec 25 for 1st alterations

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has said the committees in both the House and the Senate are working hard and are optimistic in achieving the first set of alterations by December 2025.

He stated this in Abuja at the weekend while delivering his remarks at a retreat for the consultants and secretariat of the committee.

Kalu, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, on Sunday, said arrangements had been concluded by the committee for an international legislative dialogue for women.

Kalu said the essence of the dialogue, holding on 28th October in Abuja, is to interface with women across the globe and other well-meaning Nigerians on ways to increase their political participation in the ongoing constitution amendment.

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The deputy speaker said, “The work is not easy; to make law for the judiciary is not easy, God will give you more wisdom and tact in navigating around that. Thank you for your dedication. This is a sacrifice for nation building. History will remember you; you will be remembered as those who crafted the new constitution.

“You’re writing your name in gold. I’m happy to say that with the way we are going, our objective in achieving the first set of alteration by December 2025 is feasible. I’m happy to inform you as well that the Senate has keyed into our timeline in this regard. So it’s achievable.

“Some of the activities in our work plan include, national public hearings, follow up retreats, joint retreat with Senate, engagement with state houses of assembly and governors forum. I wish to emphasise that we should look at ways to increase political participation of women.

“It’s very important. We have to find a way to make it easier for us to harvest their wealth of opinion on national policies and issues. In this regard, the committee is organising an international legislative dialogue for women in the constitution amendment and it’s coming up on 28th October at Transcorp Hilton.

“We are reaching out to women who have made major impact across the globe to come in and talk about “Why not Women”, Why we should increase the number”. I thank you and I pray our deliberation shall not be in vain.”