The House of Representatives has inaugurated its Committee on the Review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen.
This development signals the formal commencement of the Sixth Alteration to the Nigerian Constitution enacted in 1999. It happened eleven months after the last amendments were concluded with a Presidential assent.
Speaker Abbas noted that the early commencement of the constitution review activities by the 10th House of Representatives is yet another step towards actualising cardinal objectives listed in its Legislative Agenda. At the same time, he also explained that the House is already working on a Constitution Alteration Procedure Bill to provide a framework and a timeline for the passage of Constitution Alteration bills by the National Assembly and adoption by State Houses of Assembly.
In his opening address, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, announced that the Committee will work diligently to deliver on its assignment within the next 24 months.
Seeking the cooperation and support of all Nigerians, Rep. Kalu emphasised that the Committee’s doors are wide open for robust and constructive deliberations. He further unveiled the website of the Constitution Review Committee; www.hccr.gov.ng, to enable Nigerians to visit the portal to engage and contribute ideas and perspectives to the vital process.
The Committee has also named a lawyer, activist, London-trained journalist and media executive, Rep. Phillip Agbese representing Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State as its Spokesperson. Rep. Agbese is the Deputy Spokesman of the Tenth House of Representatives and doubles as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs.
Rep. Agbese will lead efforts to ensure the constitution review process is transparent, inclusive, and accessible to all stakeholders, and indeed, all Nigerians, in line with the ethos of the 10th Assembly.
The House Committee on the Review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) is established under Section 62 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and Order 20 (30) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.
Categorised as a Standing Committee in the Green Chamber, it is charged with the responsibility of recommending the alteration of the 1999 Constitution and other Acts that require alteration by Sections 8 and 9 of the Constitution.
Its responsibilities also include receiving and considering proposals (bills) for the Constitution alteration, as well as creating a forum for relevant stakeholders and members of the public to make inputs to the review process to enact laws that address the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
Chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Committee comprises one member from each of the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT. To ensure greater inclusion, the Committee has six (6) additional women representing each of the six geo-political zones, as well as the House Zonal Caucus Leaders being co-opted in an advisory capacity to advise the Committee on issues relating to their respective zones.
The Committee’s Secretariat also includes a representative of People with Disabilities to ensure that their concerns are properly accommodated.
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