North West Senate Constitution Amendment Zonal Hearing Commences in Kano.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to align with contemporary realities continue today with the opening of a two-day North-West zonal public hearing of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review in Kano State.
The hearing which held at the Bristol Palace Hotel in the ancient city of Kano, drew participants from the seven States in the sub- region – Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
At the hearing, stakeholders from the seven states, including civil society, organised interest groups, traditional institutions, professional associations, and others, will articulate and discuss their various positions on all issues related to constitutional amendments.
Setting the tone for the public hearing, the Deputy President of Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Barau Jibrin, in his opening address, said the Senate was not predisposed to any particular positions of amendments, but would fully gauge the pulse of the general public to arrive at a concensus on all proposed amendments in consonance with extant legislative processes.
“Since our nation’s return to constitutional democracy in 1999, following a prolonged period of military dictatorship, the calls for amendments and reviews to the Constitution have remained persistent and vigorous.
“In response to growing demands, the 10th Senate constituted the Constitution Review Committee to address citizens’ calls for amendments to the Constitution.
“The Committee’s mandate is to foster a broad national consensus, rather than echo the voices of a powerful minority that dominate media platforms. This context guided the Committee as it sought memoranda and proposals from Nigerians on potential constitutional changes aimed at enhancing good governance and promoting the welfare of all individuals, rooted in the principles of freedom, equality and justice.
” Members of the Committee hold no preconceived opinions to impose upon you but are committed to being guided by legislative practices grounded in the highest ethical standards, integrity, open-mindedness, and patriotism.
“I implore all stakeholders to provide their input in accordance with these standards while maintaining the utmost decorum and responsibility.
” Several key issues we need to address include electoral reforms and adjudication; judicial reforms focused on case management and administration; enhancements to local government administration; the involvement of traditional institutions in contemporary governance; promoting human rights; ensuring gender equity and inclusion in governance; the devolution and distribution of powers; the structure of our federation; and concerns related to security and policing.
“We have carefully reviewed and translated your memoranda into bills, which we now present to you for further input and discussion, “Senator Barau said.
Reiterating the critical role of achieving a broad consensus on all issues in the review exercise, Senator Barau called for effective collaboration among the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly and an understanding of the executive and judicial arms of government.
“It is crucial to recognise that our committee’s work represents a collaborative effort with our esteemed colleagues in both the House of Representatives and the State Houses of Assembly.
“To achieve the vital constitutional reforms, we must unite and work in harmony. I am encouraged by the numerous national and state legislators present today, all of whom share a common vision.
“Our collaboration will not end with this public hearing; together, we will enhance our contributions to produce outcomes that resonate with a national consensus, always prioritising the interests of our citizens.
” Additionally, it is imperative to engage the understanding of our executive and judicial branches of government, as they are fundamental in executing the will of the people and enforcing the rule of law. A law that lacks implementation is, by definition, ineffective, and we must avoid this pitfall as we pursue our objectives,” the lawmaker added.