Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has called for synergy among consultants and secretariats of the Senate and House Committees on Constitution Review to set the pace for effective partnership to drive the ongoing exercise to a successful conclusion.
Kalu, who is the chairman, House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, made the call at the joint retreat of the secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House committees on the review of the constitution over the weekend.
He told the stakeholders that effective synergy would drive the task to outcomes that would meet and satisfy the desires and yearnings of Nigerians.
He urged the stakeholders to review the previous amendment proposals which were either not passed by the National/State Assemblies or were not assented to by the President, and consider how those issues can be re-introduced with a view to providing methods of processing them or an action plan that will ensure that reservations which led to their rejection are addressed.
He reminded them that the constitutional alteration is a continuous process and must involve all Nigerians to empower the legislature to evolve a constitution that will address contentious issues that have bedeviled the nation since independence such as State Police, Special Seats for Women among others.
While noting that the 10th Assembly is building upon the legacies of the previous Assemblies that did a comprehensive work, which resulted in the President’s assent to 18 Constitution amendment Bills in the 9th Assembly, Kalu hailed the stakeholders for the “national sacrifice” and patriotism.
He assured that the committee members in both the Senate and House of Representatives will engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on different issues.
“As you are all aware, constitutional alteration is a continuous process and must involve all Nigerians regardless of their ideological leanings or beliefs, hence, our call for memoranda from all stakeholders and the general public,” he added.
Constitution review must meet Nigerians’ yearnings – Reps Deputy Speaker, Kalu