The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, has reiterated the committee’s commitment to producing a Constitution that works for Nigerians. Kalu stated this in his address at the 3rd Committee Retreat on Constitutional Review held in Enugu.
According to Kalu, Nigerians want a Constitution that empowers local governments to deliver services, streamlines electoral justice, strengthens fiscal federalism, guarantees women’s full participation in governance, and enhances accountability at all levels. “The work we do here in Enugu over the next few days will define the trajectory of Nigeria’s democracy for the next generation,” he said.
Kalu emphasized the need for unity of purpose, legislative discipline, and national interest in the constitutional review process. “We represent different constituencies, different parties, and different ideologies. But on the issue of constitutional reform, we must speak with one voice,” he stressed.
The Deputy Speaker urged members to focus on what unites them, not what divides them, and to prioritize achievable, high-impact reforms that enjoy widespread public support. “Every decision we make here must be guided by one question: What is best for Nigeria?” he added.
In his address, Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, represented by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, highlighted the need for judicial and police reforms to address the country’s security and justice delivery challenges. He suggested having magistrates on call to determine whether someone should be held in custody or granted bail, and emphasized the need to address the inhumane conditions in police cells.
Ossai also raised concerns about the concept of geopolitical zones and federal character, questioning whether it should be captured in the Constitution. “The last time I checked, I wasn’t certain that there was constitutional liberties to it. But it’s almost clear that in all our national conversations, in political conversations, in development conversations, in all our conversations, the concept of the fact that geopolitical zones are taking root in our subconscious conversations has come to me,” he said.
The retreat aims to produce a clear, actionable roadmap for constitutional reform that empowers local governments, guarantees women’s representation, strengthens electoral integrity, and deepens Nigeria’s federal democracy.
