Nigeria’s Constitutional Review
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has finally kicked off the long-awaited process of comprehensively reviewing and amending the country’s constitution. With 305 memoranda from Nigerian citizens and 112 bills from lawmakers on the table, the committee on the constitutional amendment has a monumental but vital task before them.
Amending the constitution is never an easy undertaking, but it is a necessity for Nigeria at this critical juncture. The current constitution, though founded on democratic principles after military rule ended in 1999, is outdated and ill-equipped to address the modern realities and challenges facing Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy.
As Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu rightly pointed out, constitutional review and reforms are “imperative to conform to the wishes of Nigerians and to also meet up with the present economic realities.” From strengthening property rights and the rule of law to promoting fiscal responsibility, enhancing accountability in governance, and empowering state and local governments – an overhaul is sorely needed for Nigeria to unlock its vast potential.
However, the success of this exercise hinges on the lawmakers’ willingness and ability to conduct broad-based, inclusive consultations that capture the true aspirations of Nigeria’s over 200 million people across the country’s diverse ethnic, religious, and regional mosaic. The planned engagements with the judiciary, election bodies, women’s groups, traditional rulers, and civil society are a good start but must be sincere and comprehensive efforts at all levels.
Furthermore, the process must be characterized by complete transparency, with the public kept fully informed on the committee’s work and ample room for scrutiny of every proposal and amendment put forth. This is a defining moment for Nigerian democracy.
Expectations are high that this 9th National Assembly, with a rare situation of having a former president and vice president as lawmakers, will finally get constitutional reforms right for the benefit of future generations. But it is imperative that they learn from the mistakes of the past that stymied previous amendment efforts.
Partisan interests and ambitions must be discarded. Difficult compromises may need to be struck on contentious issues like local government autonomy and state policing. But reform that meaningfully improves governance, rights, and living standards for all Nigerians must be the ultimate guiding principle.
Nigeria has been in dire need of a people’s constitution for far too long. This generational opportunity to redefine the foundations of the nation cannot be squandered through inaction, selfish motives, or inadequate inclusion. The citizens’ hopes are riding on the constitutional review committee – it is a responsibility they must take with full patriotic commitment and diligence. The future of Nigeria depends on it.
Reference
Reps begin review of 305 Memoranda, 112 bills on constitutional amendment published in TheNation