Countdown To Change: National Assembly Sets Ambitious Deadline For New Constitution
In a bold move toward constitutional reform, the National Assembly has announced a target date of December 2025 to complete the work of its committee on Nigeria’s constitutional amendment. The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, unveiled this plan during the pre-inaugural meeting of the Committee on Constitutional Amendment in Abuja on Wednesday
The constitution review committee is scheduled to be inaugurated on February 26, with a mandate to consider 40 amendment bills received thus far. Kalu emphasized that the committee would address bills that didn’t pass through the previous assembly, taking into account the concerns voiced by Nigerians.
Speaking on the timeline, Kalu stated, “It is not out of place to guess that there is some level of fatigue in the amendment process by some vocal sections of the populace.” He urged committee members to work diligently to deliver on citizens’ expectations of concrete amendments within the specified timeframe.
Kalu also highlighted the need to revisit various provisions of Nigeria’s constitution and find consensus on longstanding debates. He reminded the committee of past proposals that didn’t pass, such as the creation of additional seats for women in legislative houses, urging thorough advocacy and stakeholder engagement for such proposals.
The ambitious deadline signals a commitment to addressing constitutional concerns and underscores the importance of a comprehensive and timely approach to the amendment process.
