Nigerians are increasingly demanding fundamental constitutional changes, particularly the establishment of state police and implementation of true fiscal federalism, according to Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Benjamin Kalu.
Constitutional Review Reaches Critical Phase
Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the second Joint Retreat of the House and Senate Committees on Constitution Review, Kalu emphasized that both the National Assembly and the 36 State Houses of Assembly must respond to public expectations as the nation moves toward amending the 1999 Constitution.
He described the retreat as "a defining chapter in our constitutional journey" and praised lawmakers for their bipartisan commitment to the review process. The committees have made substantial progress through three capacity-building retreats, six zonal public hearings, and extensive consultations with various stakeholders.
Clear National Consensus Emerges
Kalu revealed that feedback from nationwide engagements shows a clear consensus among Nigerians. "Nigerians yearn for a Constitution that empowers local governments, ensures credible elections, strengthens fiscal federalism, guarantees gender inclusion and enhances accountability across all levels of government," he stated.
The October 2025 Lagos Retreat produced broad agreement on priority reforms that enjoy strong public support and political viability. Key areas expected by Nigerians include devolving power to strengthen grassroots governance, localizing internal security through state police mechanisms, and ensuring equitable resource distribution.
State Assemblies Hold Final Decision
Highlighting the crucial role of State Assemblies, Kalu reminded participants that Section 9 of the Constitution requires approval from at least 24 of the 36 State Houses of Assembly for any alteration to become law.
"The success or failure of this review will ultimately be determined not here in Abuja, but in the State Assemblies," Kalu emphasized. "You are the gatekeepers of constitutional reform, and history will judge the actions we take in the coming weeks."
He disclosed that all state governors will be briefed on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, as part of ongoing intergovernmental collaboration. Kalu urged Speakers of State Assemblies to act as "ambassadors of reform" and assured governors that the amendments aim to reinforce federalism rather than weaken executive authority.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, commended lawmakers' renewed commitment as they reconvened to advance work on amendment bills. He expressed confidence that the bills would be forwarded to state legislatures before the end of the year, marking a significant step toward addressing Nigeria's governance and security challenges.
