Reps receive over 250 constitution amendment proposals — Kalu

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Thursday confirmed the receipt of over 250 proposed bills seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution.

Hon. Kalu made this confirmation during the second retreat of the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review, held from Thursday, February 20, to Saturday, February 22, 2025, in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

The Deputy Speaker, who also serves as the Chairman of the Committee, stated that the bills reflect a collective commitment to refining governance in Nigeria. He noted that while some of the bills have progressed to the second reading stage, others remain at the first reading.

The objectives of the retreat included reviewing the bills, incorporating input from consultants, familiarizing members with the bill contents, prioritizing bills based on national interest, and preparing for zonal public hearings as well as a joint harmonization meeting with the Senate.

The bills, already categorized into thematic areas, aim to address a wide range of issues, including federal structure and power devolution, local government autonomy, public revenue, fiscal federalism, revenue allocation, and electoral reforms.

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Hon. Kalu said: “Distinguished colleagues, we currently have 151 House bills before us. However, I am certain these numbers were the last count before recent additions. My office has been informed that there are about 250 constitutional amendment bills that will pass through the House for this committee.

“These bills reflect our collective commitment to refining governance in Nigeria. While some have progressed to the second reading stage, others remain at the first reading stage. However, it is our intention that by the time we conclude this retreat, we will ensure that those still at the first reading stage receive expedited hearings.

“The compilation process has revealed instances of duplication—whether by sponsors or due to overlapping subject matters. This necessitates meticulous harmonization to streamline efforts and eliminate redundancy. To aid our analysis, bills have been categorized into thematic areas, and our consultants have conducted thorough reviews, offering insights to guide prioritization.

“The thematic areas include Federal Structure and Power Devolution, Local Government and Local Government Autonomy, Public Revenue, Fiscal Federalism, Revenue Allocation, Nigerian Police and Security Architecture, Comprehensive Judicial Reforms, Electoral Reforms, Gender Issues, Human Rights, and State Creation.”

Hon. Kalu disclosed that the committee had received 31 requests for state creation. However, none of the applications met the constitutional requirements, prompting an extension of the submission deadline to March 5, 2025, to enable applicants to fulfill the necessary provisions.

“Although we received 31 requests for state creation, none of them met the constitutional requirements. Thus, we have extended the submission deadline to March 5, 2025,” Kalu said.

The Deputy Speaker also announced the establishment of a situation room to collate and address concerns raised by Nigerians during the constitution amendment process. He urged lawmakers to ensure that citizens are actively involved.

He stated: “Unlike before, we will partner with PLAC to open a situation room—a dedicated space to monitor the operations of various engagements. Any questions that cannot be addressed immediately will be forwarded to the situation room, where some of us will have access to provide necessary responses.

“This situation room will also ensure that we publish all engagements. Today’s retreat offers an opportunity to engage deeply with these bills and prepare for stakeholder consultations nationwide. As legislators, we must ensure that the voices of Nigerians are reflected in our constitutional reforms.

“As we deliberate, I urge you to approach this task with diligence, objectivity, and patriotism. The success of this review process hinges on our collective dedication to national progress.”

Hon. Kalu added that the committee will soon embark on zonal public hearings across the six geopolitical zones of the country.