Nigeria’s National Assembly on Monday convened what leaders described as the final and decisive joint retreat on the ongoing Constitution review, signaling the last major engagement before lawmakers cast votes on landmark amendments that could reshape the country’s governance framework.
Members of the Constitution Review Committee and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly declared that deliberations had formally ended. The next step, they said, would be historic voting on the Constitution alteration bills.
Senate Deputy President and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin, reminded participants that the retreat was not another round of debates but the concluding session before decisions are taken.
“Our meeting today will be less deliberative… the purpose is to approve positions reached previously,” he said. “This is the last lap of this assignment. We must fulfill our promise to Nigerians that the Bills will be transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly this year.”
From Debate to Delivery
Echoing the urgency, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, declared the session a defining moment.
“Colleagues, let me be clear: this is the final retreat before the historic voting on the constitution alteration bills. After today, we move from deliberation to decision. We move from consultation to legislative action. We move from debate to delivery.”
Kalu said that the committee had conducted six zonal hearings, three technical retreats, and wide-ranging consultations with governors, security chiefs, traditional rulers, political parties, civil society organizations, and women’s groups.
According to him, these engagements revealed overwhelming national demand for reforms that would devolve more powers to states, guarantee local government autonomy, strengthen state policing, ensure credible elections, deepen fiscal federalism, and expand gender representation.
State Assemblies Hold the Key
Both chairmen emphasized that the fate of the amendments now rests heavily with the State Houses of Assembly.
Kalu told participants, “The success or failure of this review will not be determined here in Abuja, but in the 36 State Assemblies. You are the gatekeepers of constitutional reform.”
Senator Barau explained that the retreat was deliberately structured to ensure state lawmakers are aligned before the transmission of the bills. Kalu also announced that all governors would be briefed on Wednesday to secure state-level endorsement and avoid political resistance.
“This is not to undermine executive authority, but to strengthen federalism and deliver the democracy Nigerians deserve,” he said.
He urged Speakers and lawmakers to embrace their responsibility at this pivotal moment. “History is watching us. Over 200 million Nigerians anticipate direction from this Assembly. This is our moment. Let us rise to it.”
With deliberations now concluded, sub-committee reports will be harmonized and forwarded to plenary sessions in both chambers.
Lawmakers are expected to begin voting on what could become one of the most consequential legislative exercises of the 10th National Assembly.
If the bills get two-thirds approval in state assemblies, as required under Section 9 of the Constitution, Nigeria may witness its first constitutional amendment since the fourth republic before the end of the legislative year.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment 💬, Share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
