Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau
Senate Committee on 1999 Constitutional Review has promised to implement far-reaching reforms to correct long-standing structural imbalances in Nigeria’s federation and deepen democracy.
Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Jibrin Barau, stated that the review aims to address unresolved fundamental issues.
“We have received hundreds of memoranda addressing key issues that were not resolved by previous amendments, mainly due to lack of national consensus and evolving dynamics of modern governance,” Barau said at the South-West Zonal Public Hearing on the 1999 Constitution Review in Lagos.
The committee will focus on issues such as electoral reforms, judicial reforms, local government administration, traditional institutions, gender equity, devolution of power, and security concerns.
“These issues have continued to dominate public discourse, with many Nigerians advocating legislative action to address them,” Barau emphasized.
The Senate urged stakeholders to contribute to the advancement of democratic practices and shaping of national destiny.
“Our mandate is to foster a broad national consensus rather than echo the voice of a powerful minority,” Barau said.
Civil society organizations also made their voices heard, with Dr. Abiola Akiode-Afolabi calling for the implementation of the 35% Affirmative Action for women in government.
“There is a need to implement the affirmative action,” Akiode-Afolabi stressed, urging President Bola Tinubu to assent to the National Gender Policy.
The public hearing is part of a nationwide effort to gather input from citizens and stakeholders on the constitutional review process.
