Abuja witnessed a significant political development on Monday as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, assured Nigerians of the speedy passage of the long-awaited constitutional amendment bill.
The assurance came during the National Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, held in the Federal Capital Territory, with lawmakers, government officials, and civil society stakeholders in attendance.
Commitment from the Green Chamber
Speaker Abbas emphasized that the current National Assembly is determined to succeed where previous ones failed. He promised that all contributions made by Nigerians during the public hearing would be treated with fairness, urgency, and diligence.
“As Speaker, I pledge that we will take your contributions seriously and consider the bills with diligence, fairness, and urgency. We will engage the State Assemblies respectfully and transparently to secure their concurrence. We will continue to work with the executive and with you, the people, to ensure that the amendment process proceeds smoothly,” Abbas stated.
Deputy Speaker and Presidency Weigh In
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitutional Amendment, pledged to make the process inclusive and people-driven.
Also present was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who represented President Bola Tinubu. He commended the committee for creating an open platform that gives voice to citizens, civil society, political parties, professional groups, and traditional institutions.
Akume further reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions through a robust amendment process.
A Turning Point?
The 1999 Constitution has faced several calls for amendment due to its perceived shortcomings. Past attempts by previous assemblies have failed, but this renewed pledge from Speaker Abbas has raised expectations across the nation.
Observers say the process, if successfully concluded, could reshape governance and address long-standing concerns over inclusivity, equity, and institutional strength in Nigeria’s democracy.
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