Senate to Hold Nationwide Public Hearing on Constitution Review July 4–5: State Creation, Police, Women Representation Top Agenda

Senate to Hold Nationwide Public Hearing on Constitution Review July 4–5: State Creation, Police, Women Representation Top Agenda

The Nigerian Senate has announced plans to hold a two-day zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments from July 4 to 5, 2025, as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.

The hearings will take place simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria: Lagos (Southwest), Enugu (Southeast), Ikot Ekpene (South-South), Jos (North Central), Maiduguri (Northeast) and Kano (Northwest).

Organized by the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, the hearings are aimed at gathering citizens’ input on a wide range of proposed constitutional reforms.

According to a statement from Ismail Mudashir, the Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President on Media and Publicity, the public hearings will address a variety of pressing national issues, including local government autonomy, security, electoral reforms, fiscal policy, gender equity and traditional institutions.

Among the bills to be discussed is one proposing the establishment of local government councils as a constitutionally recognized tier of government, ensuring their democratic structure and fixed tenure. This forms part of an ongoing drive to grant full autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.

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“One of the bills: proposes the establishment of local government councils as a tier of government to guarantee their democratic existence and tenure. This is part of a renewed push to grant full autonomy to the country’s 774 local government councils.”

Another bill seeks to create an independent National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) to organize, conduct and supervise local government elections.

“The second bill on local government reforms seeks to create an independent National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) to organise, conduct and supervise local government elections.”

The committee will also consider two security-related bills that aim to establish state police and create state security councils to help coordinate internal security at the sub-national level.

In the area of fiscal reforms, six bills are slated for review. One of the bills would empower the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to enforce compliance regarding the remittance and distribution of funds from the Federation Account. Another proposes changes to the constitution to mandate specific timeframes within which the president or governors must present budget appropriation bills to their respective legislatures.

“Also, on fiscal reforms, a bill to alter the provisions of the constitution to specify the period within which the president or the governor of a state shall present the appropriation bill before the National Assembly or House of Assembly will be discussed during the hearing.”

On gender equity, a new proposal aims to provide additional legislative seats for women in the National and State Assemblies. The committee is also expected to evaluate a bill to establish councils of traditional rulers at the national, state and local government levels.

“To strengthen traditional institutions, a Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution to establish the National Council of Traditional Rulers, the State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Local Government Council of Traditional Rulers would also be considered.”

Electoral reforms will feature prominently during the hearings. Proposals will include constitutional amendments to allow independent candidacy at all levels of election, from local government councils to the presidency. A bill proposing diaspora voting to enfranchise Nigerians living abroad is also on the agenda.

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“On electoral reforms, a proposal seeking the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to allow for independent candidacy at all levels of election, from local councils to the presidency, will also be discussed at the public hearing.”

“This is just as a bill for diaspora voting to enfranchise Nigerians abroad has been listed for consideration.”

In addition, over 20 judicial reform bills will be discussed. These bills focus on improving the judiciary by enforcing timelines for delivering judgments and expanding the jurisdiction of election tribunals.

“The hearing will consider over 20 bills seeking to overhaul the country’s judiciary, including timelines for judgment delivery and expanded jurisdiction for election tribunals.”

In a bid to devolve more powers to states, the committee is reviewing proposals to transfer items such as labour and shipping from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.

“In a bold push for devolution of powers, proposals have been made to transfer items like labour and shipping from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List.”

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Regarding state creation, the committee has received 31 proposals. These include five from each of the South West, South South, and North Central zones; seven from the North East; six from the North West; and three from the South East.

“Public hearing are 31 proposals on state creation, with five requests each from the South West, South South and North Central geopolitical zones. The committee has received seven requests from the North East, six from the North West and three from the South East.”

The committee underscored the importance of active civic participation, urging all Nigerians to attend the hearings and contribute to shaping the country’s constitutional future.

“The committee stressed the importance of public engagement in shaping the country’s constitution, calling everyone to participate during the zonal public hearing.”