The Senate committee on the 1999 Constitutional Review has promised far-reaching constitutional reforms to correct long-standing structural imbalance in the federation and deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

Senator Jibrin Barau, the chairman of the committee, made the pledge at the South-West Zonal Public Hearing on the 1999 Constitution Review in Lagos on Friday.

A public hearing is taking place simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.

It is taking place in Enugu, Kano, Jos, Ikeja, Ikot-Ekpene (Cross River) and Maiduguri.

Mr Barau, represented by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate majority leader, said the review was important since some fundamental issues remained unresolved.

The deputy Senate president said that the National Assembly had a duty to address citizens’ calls for amendment of the constitution.

According to him, in response to growing demands, the 10th Senate constituted the 1999 Constitution Review Committee to address citizens’ calls for amendments to the constitution.

“We have received hundreds of memoranda addressing key issues that were not resolved by previous amendments, mainly due to a lack of national consensus and evolving dynamics of modern governance.

“Key issues which need to be addressed include electoral reforms and adjudication; judicial reforms focused on case management and administration; enhancements to local government administration,” he said.

The senator listed the other issues to include the involvement of the traditional institution in contemporary governance,  and ensuring gender equity and inclusion in governance.

“Others are the devolution and distribution of power, the structure of our federation, and concerns related to security and policing,” he said.

Mr Barau said that the issues had continued to dominate public discourse, with many Nigerians advocating a legislative action to address them.

Mr Barau urged stakeholders present at the public hearing to see their participation as a contribution to the advancement of democratic practices and shaping of  national destiny.

He said the committee’s mandate was to foster a broad national consensus rather than echo the voice of a powerful minority.

Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, speaking on behalf of civil society organisations, called for a deliberate policy to implement the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in government.

Ms Akiode-Afolabi, the executive director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center,  said there was a need to implement the affirmative action.

She urged the Bola Tinubu administration to assent to the National Gender Policy to agree on the 35 per cent affirmative action.

The event was attended by stakeholders from the South-West geo-political zone.

They include Lagos deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat, senators, members of civil society organisations, traditional leaders and community leaders. 

(NAN)