News Investigators/ The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has urged Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly to champion the reforms being introduced in the ongoing review of the Constitution.
Mr Kalu, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on the Review of the Constitution, made the call at the final pre-vote retreat on the constitutional review process in Abuja on Monday.
He said that the state legislature buy-in is the legal and political hinge on which the entire exercise hung.
According to him, Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution mandates approval from at least two-thirds of state legislatures, which is 24 out of 36, before any amendment can become law.
“More than 200 million Nigerians are expecting reforms that will devolve power, strengthen local governance, improve internal security, ensure credible elections, promote gender balance and entrench fiscal federalism and equitable resource distribution.
“No matter how brilliant, necessary or popular our proposals are, they will not become law without the support of the State Houses of Assembly supports.
“State domestication is the constitutional gateway through which every amendment must pass.
“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,” he said.
Mr Kalu added that the amendments under consideration will determine the future of Nigeria’s democracy and governance architecture.
He affirmed that the constitutional review seeks to protect the rights and dignity of all Nigerians “regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion,” and to guarantee genuine local government autonomy so development can reach every community.
The deputy speaker announced that the committee will brief state governors on the proposed reforms on Wednesday, Nov. 26 to ensure a seamless passage of the bill.
In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, said that the purpose of the meeting was to approve the positions reach previously and to receive reports from the sub- committees for further legislative actions.
He said that the retreat also serves the purpose of ensuring that the State Houses of Assembly who are critical and strategic partners in the business of amending the constitution are fully brought on board.
It will offer the speakers the opportunity to make observations and inputs before the report is presented to the plenary.
“So, we want them to have all of this beforehand, so that we have a seamless process when it goes to the assemblies of the sub nationals.
“I, therefore, crave your indulgence and encourage you to remain committed as always in this last lap of this assignment, in order to ensure that we fulfill our purpose to Nigerians,” he said.
NAN