OCTOBER 6, 2025
BY TOBI AKINNUBI
The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has begun consultations with leaders of Nigeria’s 19 registered political parties as part of efforts to build national consensus on the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution.
The meeting, which was convened in Abuja, is being chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who also heads the Constitution Review Committee. The House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, serves as the deputy chairman of the committee.
According to the Deputy Speaker, the engagement with political parties marks a crucial step in ensuring that the review process reflects the collective interests of Nigerians and garners broad-based political support. He noted that the committee is committed to a transparent and inclusive amendment process that will strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.
Kalu explained that the 10th House of Representatives is determined to avoid the pitfalls of previous attempts at constitutional review by seeking the buy-in of all major stakeholders early in the process. He added that political parties, being central to Nigeria’s democratic framework, must play an active role in shaping the proposed reforms.
The consultation is expected to provide an opportunity for the parties to make submissions on key areas of the Constitution that require amendment. The committee will also engage with civil society groups, traditional institutions, and other critical sectors in subsequent phases of the process.
The Constitution Review Committee was inaugurated earlier this year with a mandate to collate, review, and harmonize amendment proposals that will address issues of governance, devolution of powers, electoral reforms, and other national concerns.
