Nigerian Constitution Review 2025: Akpabio and Kalu advocate women’s inclusion, local government autonomy, and stronger democracy at Abuja consultative forum.

Nigerian Constitution Review 2025 gained momentum on Monday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, called for bold reforms to strengthen democracy and increase women’s political participation.

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Speaking at a consultative session in Abuja with national chairmen, secretaries, and women leaders of registered political parties, Kalu described the 1999 Constitution as insufficient for modern governance.

He urged political leaders to collaborate with the National Assembly in ensuring more inclusive representation — especially for women.

Despite 26 years of uninterrupted democracy, Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, said the foundational goals of freedom, equity, and inclusion remain largely unmet.

“We need a constitution that does not just permit democracy, but actively enables it,” Kalu said. “Our local governments are weak, women are underrepresented, and our electoral process is riddled with litigation.”

The ongoing Nigerian Constitution Review 2025 process is focusing on key issues such as:

Local government autonomy
State policing
Independent candidacy
Special seats for women in legislative houses
Judicial and electoral reforms

Kalu assured stakeholders that the reviewed draft would be submitted for consideration in December, after nationwide consultations.

He added that women, who constitute half of Nigeria’s population, deserve an equal seat at the table: “No Nigerian should be excluded from decision-making because of gender.”

Represented by Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, Senate President Godswill Akpabio echoed similar sentiments, stressing that democracy must deliver not only ballots but better lives for citizens.

“True federalism begins at the grassroots. If government fails in the village, it fails in the capital,” Akpabio said, advocating for full financial and political autonomy for local councils.

Akpabio also endorsed special seats for women, citing global examples where female leadership has led to more inclusive governance.

“A democracy that sidelines its women weakens itself,” he said, referencing Rwanda and Finland as benchmarks.

He reiterated the call for state policing as a realistic approach to Nigeria’s security challenges. “The call for state policing is not rebellion; it is realism,” he said. “But in seeking safety, we must not sacrifice freedom.”

Also speaking at the forum, Deputy Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dipo Olayoku, called for urgent amendments to both the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

He recommended:

Scrapping State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs)
Transferring all local government elections to INEC
Removing INEC appointments from the Executive arm
Reinstating public funding for political parties
Filling vacant seats through party nominations instead of fresh by-elections

“These changes will restore confidence in our electoral process and strengthen democratic governance,” Olayoku said.

Kalu noted that the 10th National Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, is committed to far-reaching reforms that reflect today’s realities — not outdated frameworks.

“We are in a moment of reckoning,” he said. “It’s time to ask: Is our constitution still fit for purpose?”

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As the Nigerian Constitution Review 2025 continues, the National Assembly urged all political parties to submit written input on the draft amendment bills currently under consideration.

Source: Read more at iretura.com