The National Assembly on Monday held what leaders described as the final and decisive joint retreat on the ongoing Constitution review process, signalling the last major engagement before lawmakers vote on landmark amendments expected to reshape Nigeria’s governance framework.
Naijaonpoint reports that members of the Constitution Review Committee and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly declared that deliberations had formally ended and that the next step would be historic voting on the Constitution alteration bills.
Senate Deputy President and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin, stressed that the retreat was not another round of debates but the concluding session before decisions are taken.
He said, “Our meeting today will be less deliberative… the purpose is to approve positions reached previously.”
“This is the last lap of this assignment. We must fulfil our promise to Nigerians that the Bills will be transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly this year.”
He reminded participants that most contentious issues were resolved at the Lagos retreat held last month, leaving only ratification and technical documentation.
Echoing the urgency, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, declared the session a defining moment.
Kalu said, “Colleagues, let me be clear: this is the final retreat before the historic voting on the constitution alteration bills.”
“After today, we move from deliberation to decision. We move from consultation to legislative action. We move from debate to delivery.”
He noted that the committee had conducted six zonal hearings, three technical retreats, and wide-ranging consultations with governors, security chiefs, traditional rulers, political parties, civil society organisations, and women’s groups.
According to Kalu, these engagements revealed overwhelming national demand for reforms that would:
– Devolve more powers to states
– Guarantee local government autonomy
– Strengthen state policing and internal security
– Ensure credible elections
– Deepen fiscal federalism
– Expand gender representation
State Assemblies Hold The Deciding Power
Both chairmen emphasised that the fate of the amendments now rests heavily with the State Houses of Assembly.
Kalu said, “The success or failure of this review will not be determined here in Abuja, but in the 36 State Assemblies. You are the gatekeepers of constitutional reform.”
Senator Barau explained that the retreat was deliberately structured to ensure state lawmakers are aligned before the transmission of the bills.
Kalu also announced that all governors would be briefed on Wednesday to secure state-level endorsement and avoid political resistance.
He said, “This is not to undermine executive authority, but to strengthen federalism and deliver the democracy Nigerians deserve.”
Kalu urged Speakers and lawmakers to embrace their responsibility at this pivotal moment.
He said, “History is watching us. Over 200 million Nigerians anticipate direction from this Assembly. This is our moment. Let us rise to it.”
With deliberations now concluded, sub-committee reports will be harmonised and forwarded to plenary sessions in both chambers.
Lawmakers are expected to begin voting on what could become one of the most consequential legislative exercises of the 10th National Assembly.
If the bills secure two-thirds approval in state assemblies, as required under Section 9 of the Constitution, Nigeria may witness sweeping constitutional reforms before the end of the legislative year.
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