The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Dr. Benjamin Kalu, has reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to deliver a Constitution that truly works for all Nigerians.
Dr. Kalu made the remarks during his opening address at the 3rd Committee Retreat on Constitutional Review, which commenced in Enugu State.
According to the Deputy Speaker, Nigerians are yearning for a Constitution that reflects their realities and aspirations — one that strengthens local governance, enhances electoral justice, promotes fiscal federalism, ensures full participation of women in governance, and bolsters accountability across all tiers of government.
“In carrying out our responsibilities, we must be guided by unity of purpose, legislative discipline, and the national interest,” Kalu stated. “We represent different constituencies, political parties, and ideologies, but on the matter of constitutional reform, we must speak with one voice. These amendments require broad, bipartisan support to succeed.”
He cautioned against overloading the process with controversial or politically divisive proposals, urging lawmakers to focus on high-impact reforms with wide public support.
“Constitutional amendments are not ordinary bills,” he said. “They require meticulous drafting, rigorous scrutiny, and careful sequencing. Every decision we make must be guided by one question: What is best for Nigeria — not for our party, our region, or personal ambitions, but for the over 200 million Nigerians we serve.”
Kalu described the Constitution as the “social contract” binding the nation, emphasizing its role as a foundational document defining the kind of country Nigerians aspire to build.
Also speaking at the retreat, Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah — represented by Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai — underscored the need for comprehensive reforms in the judiciary, police, and other institutions to ensure efficient and timely justice delivery.
The governor expressed optimism that the proposed constitutional amendments and bills, if well implemented, could address Nigeria’s socio-political, security, and economic challenges.
He, however, lamented the tendency to frame national discourse through geopolitical lenses, warning that such approaches may lack constitutional backing.
“In all our national, political, and development conversations, the concept of geopolitical zones is taking root in our subconscious,” Mbah noted. “I’m not certain there are constitutional liberties for this, but it has become a dominant theme in our discussions.”
Governor Mbah called for a unified national effort to address the legitimate aspirations of Nigerians, urging stakeholders across sectors to work toward inclusive and transformative reforms.
