•Benjamin Kalu
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, said today that Nigerians are looking to the National Assembly for holistic constitutional reforms that will bring governance closer to the people and strengthen local internal security.
Speaking at the 2nd Joint Retreat of the House and Senate Committees on Constitution Review in Abuja, Kalu described the gathering as a defining chapter in the nation’s collective effort to deliver a Constitution that truly serves the people, deepens democracy, and reinforces Nigeria’s foundations, reports The Nation.
He said the ongoing constitution amendment process must incorporate the creation of state police, empower citizens through credible elections, ensure fiscal federalism and equitable resource distribution, protect the rights and dignity of all Nigerians — regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion— and guarantee full local government autonomy to ensure development reaches every community.
Kalu noted that the constitution review exercise has recorded significant progress, explaining that three earlier committee retreats were focused on capacity building, technical refinement, and thematic deliberations on key constitutional issues.
“Six zonal public hearings were conducted across all geopolitical zones, during which we received submissions from thousands of Nigerian citizens, traditional rulers, state executives, political parties, civil society organizations, women’s groups, youth leaders, professional bodies, and the security community.
“Targeted consultations with critical stakeholders, including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, because true federalism thrives on intergovernmental cooperation, not rivalry. Leaders of all registered political parties, because constitutional amendments must reflect collective consensus above partisanship.
“Traditional institutions, because cultural legitimacy reinforces constitutional stability. The national security and intelligence community, strengthen Nigeria’s unity and sovereignty to ensure reforms in civil society, women’s groups, and professional organisations, to capture the voices of those who live the realities of governance daily.
“The consensus from these extensive engagements is unmistakable: Nigerians yearn for a Constitution that empowers local governments, ensures credible elections, strengthens fiscal federalism, guarantees gender inclusion, and enhances accountability across all tiers of government.
“Most recently, our deliberations at the Lagos Retreat in October 2025 produced a critical consensus on priority reform areas. That retreat was a defining moment; it brought together the finest minds from both chambers, and we left Lagos with a shared understanding of the constitutional amendments that enjoy the broadest public support and political feasibility.
“I cannot overemphasise the importance of state-level ownership in this constitutional review process. As we all know, Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) requires that any alteration to the constitution must be approved by at least two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the Federation.
“This means that no matter how brilliant, how necessary, or how popular our amendments may be, they will not become law without the support of at least 24 out of 36 State Assemblies. State domestication is, therefore, the constitutional gateway through which every amendment must pass.
“The success or failure of this constitutional review will ultimately be determined not here in Abuja, but in the 36 State Assemblies across the federation. You are the gatekeepers of constitutional reform, and history will judge us all by the actions we take in the coming weeks.
“Let me be clear: this is the final retreat before the historic voting on the constitution alteration bills. After today, we move from deliberation to decision. We move from consultation to legislative action. We move from debate to delivery. History is watching us.
“The entire nation, over 200 million Nigerians, anticipates direction from this Assembly. Our people yearn for reforms that devolve power and bring governance closer to the grassroots, localize internal security through innovative approaches, like state police, empower their voices through credible elections, ensure fiscal federalism and equitable resource distribution, protect the rights and dignity of every citizen, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion, guarantee local government autonomy so that development reaches the last community.
“The amendments we agree upon today will shape Nigeria’s democracy for generations to come. Permit me also to inform this distinguished gathering that, in keeping with our commitment to intergovernmental partnership, all governors of the federation will be formally briefed on Wednesday, 26th November 2025.
“The Constitution we seek to refine is the soul of our Republic, the expression of our common destiny, the framework upon which the hopes and dreams of every Nigerian rest. Let the work we do here in Abuja reflect our shared commitment to a Nigeria that works for all.
“Let this retreat produce a clear, achievable roadmap; one that strengthens local governance, enhances gender balance, ensures credible elections, and secures our federation against future instability. As the Senate and House stand united in this constitutional review process, let us leave this hall with the resolve to transform our deliberations into enduring constitutional milestones.
“To the Speakers of State Assemblies, we count on your partnership. Go back to your states as ambassadors of reform, as champions of the people’s will, as guarantors that these amendments will receive the support they deserve.
“To the Governors whom we will brief on Wednesday, be assured that this is not an attempt to undermine executive authority; it is an effort to strengthen federalism, improve governance, and deliver the democracy Nigerians deserve.
“To my colleagues in the Senate and House: this is our moment. Let us rise to it. Together, we can build a Constitution that guarantees justice, equity, and progress for every Nigerian; today and for generations to come”.
