President Bola Tinubu has said that the constitution is the supreme law of the land which must continually respond to the realities, aspirations, and challenges of the people.
He added that the ongoing constitution review process provides another opportunity to strengthen the country’s institutions, deepen federalism, guarantee fundamental rights, and promote justice, equity, and accountability.
The President who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Sen. George Akume stated this on Monday in Abuja at the national public hearing on constitution review.
He noted: “ The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It is not static, but a living document that must continually respond to the realities, aspirations, and challenges of our people.
“The ongoing process of its amendment provides us with yet another golden opportunity to strengthen our institutions, deepen federalism, guarantee fundamental rights, and promote justice, equity, and accountability across all spheres of national life.”
On his part, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman, Constitutional Review Committee, Hon. Ben Kalu said the committee as a compendium of 87 proposed amendment bills, saying each is a response to the felt needs and expressed desires of the Nigerian people.
He noted: “I must clarify, as we proceed, that the items and amendment proposals before us today are not yet laws. These are, at this stage, proposals, suggestions, and ideas that have emerged through one of the most inclusive and participatory exercises in Nigeria’s constitutional history.
“Importantly, these proposals do not simply represent the agenda of the legislature; instead, they are, first and foremost, the thought-out demands, hopes, and memoranda of the Nigerian people themselves, gathered through extensive regional dialogues and topically-focused public hearings held across the nation.
“It is, therefore, essential that the process is not misconstrued. The constitutional amendment journey is designed to be transparent, participatory, and fair.
“These are not the fixed positions of the National Assembly, but a compilation of the aspirations and contributions of citizens from all walks of life, yet to pass through the sieving net of the National Assembly at the federal level and the pruning forks of scrutiny at the State Houses of Assembly.”
Kalu explained that the National Public Hearing was the last window of opportunity for those who, for any reason, might have missed the regional sessions.
He stated: “We do this to remove every excuse of not being heard; to ensure, in good faith, that the final product of this exercise belongs to, and is accepted by, all.
“Yet, let us also be clear: while today represents the final stage of direct public engagement in this constitutional review process, it is, by no means, the final day of work.
“Rather, it marks the transition to the next phase, a return to the deliberative chambers of the parliament, where all submissions will be critically sifted, refined, and improved upon in preparation for the momentous task of voting.”
Kalu stressed that they are also considering extensive electoral reforms, including proposals for independent candidacy, the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission, and a fixed timeline for the determination of pre-election matters to ensure that the will of the people is never again subverted by legal technicalities.
He said: “We have before us bold proposals on the devolution of powers. The landmark bill to move policing from the Exclusive to the Concurrent List, enabling the creation of state and community police forces, is a direct response to the clarion call for localized solutions to our security challenges.
“We are tackling, head-on, the long-standing issue of local government autonomy. The bills before us seek to guarantee the financial and administrative independence of our local governments, ensuring that development is not an abstract concept dictated from afar, but a tangible reality in our communities.”