All eyes are on the House of Representatives over moves to further alter the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Last month, the House of Representatives inaugurated the Constitution Review Committee (CRC), rekindling hopes that the country might have opportunity, once again, to address some nagging national issues.
Since 2006, when the Senate threw out the report of the National Political Reform Conference, which was supposed to be the basis for alteration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the review of the Constitution has become a regular ritual in the Parliament, with every assembly embarking on a similar exercise.
In all, the country has had five constitution review exercises, with the ongoing attempt to alter the Constitution as the sixth. However, there have been concerns in certain quarters if the past exercises actually achieved their objectives.
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, while inaugurating the CRC, said the country has made some gains, including financial autonomy for the judiciary and state Houses of Assembly, decongestion of the exclusive list, amongst others.
Abbas noted that the current constitution review exercise underscores the resolve of the parliament to deepen democracy in the country, as well as meet the yearning of the people.
According to him, “the inauguration of the House Committee on the Review of the Constitution (CRC) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is not just a ritual but a reflection of our collective resolve to ensure that the foundational document of our democracy evolves to meet the aspirations of all Nigerians.
“Our population in 1999 was about 120 million. However, by 2023, we had exceeded 220 million people. These rapid changes underscore the need to continuously transform the Constitution into a living and transformative document.”
Similarly, the deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who doubles as chairman of the CRC, said the ongoing Constitution review exercise, affords the House an opportunity to address critical national issues. Kalu, who spoke at a pre-inaugural meeting of the CRC, said already there are 40 bills before the parliament, seeking the alteration of different sections of the committee.
He said: “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. Whatever opinion you hold, it is important to let you know that we presently have 40 bills that are at various stages of consideration which relate to the Alteration of the Constitution.
“We are well aware of our present challenging circumstances
as a nation. The twin challenge of insecurity and economic difficulties could tamper with the the confidence of our citizens. It is therefore our Constitutional responsibility to respond to the 40 bills so far proposed and also attend to the duty of government to ensure the security and welfare of the citizen as provided by the Constitution. “
Key proposals before the House
So far, no fewer than 40 bills seeking alterations of different sections of the Constitution has been introduced in the House. However, while some of the bills are proposing minor amendments to the Constitution, others are seeking fundamental changes in polity.
Some of the key proposals include creation of state police, state creation, minimum educational qualification for elective office, mayor for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), return to parliamentary system of government, traditional roles for traditional rulers and local government autonomy, as well as proposals to further decongest the exclusive legislative list.
Also before the House is a bill to strip the President and state governors of the power to proclaim and dissolve National and state assemblies, and vest same in the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA) and clerks of state assemblies.