● LG autonomy, other issues top agenda
The Senate has announced a comprehensive two-day Zonal Public Hearing on the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution, to be held simultaneously across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The hearings, which will take place on July 4 and 5, 2025, are being organised by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, chaired by Jibrin Barau, the Deputy President of the Senate.
According to a statement signed by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser to Barau on Media and Publicity, the hearings will be held in Lagos (South West), Enugu (South East), Ikot Ekpene (South South), Jos (North Central), Maiduguri (North East), and Kano (North West).
“The zonal public hearings are designed to enable Nigerians across the country to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing process of constitutional amendment,” Mudashir said.
Among the top priorities of the constitutional reform agenda is local government autonomy, an issue that has long dominated conversations on Nigeria’s federal structure.
Mudashir said the committee would consider a bill that “seeks to establish Local Government Councils as a full tier of government, guaranteeing their democratic existence and tenure.”
In a complementary move, another bill will propose the creation of the National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) to oversee and conduct local elections across Nigeria.
“These bills aim to insulate local governments from state interference and ensure they deliver on their mandate of grassroots governance,” the statement noted.
The Senate Committee is also taking a bold step on internal security reforms, with two key bills proposing the creation of state police and a state security council.
“The objective is to improve coordination of security efforts at the sub-national level, in recognition of the peculiar security challenges facing various states,” Mudashir explained.
The public hearing will feature debate on six proposed bills focusing on fiscal reforms, including empowering the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to ensure compliance with remittance obligations to the Federation Account.
Another bill seeks to specify a timeline within which the president and governors must present appropriation bills to their respective legislative assemblies.
This reform aims to address delays in budget presentation and passage that have become recurring issues.
In a renewed push to improve female representation, the committee will also consider a bill aimed at creating additional seats for women in both the National and State Houses of Assembly.
“This bill represents a significant step toward gender inclusion and ensuring that women have a more visible and effective role in Nigeria’s democratic process,” the statement said.
A raft of electoral reforms will also be debated, including a constitutional amendment to permit independent candidacy at all levels, from local government to the presidency.
Also, on the table is a diaspora voting bill, which if passed, will enfranchise millions of Nigerians living abroad, enabling them to vote in general elections.
To recognise and strengthen traditional governance systems, the committee will also examine a bill to establish the National, State, and Local Government Councils of Traditional Rulers.
On the sensitive issue of state creation, no fewer than 31 memoranda have been submitted. The South West, South South, and North Central each submitted five requests, the North East seven, the North West six, and the South East three.
In one of the most transformative proposals, the committee is considering amending the constitution to move key items like labour and shipping from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, effectively transferring more power to the states.
Over 20 bills related to judicial reform will also be presented during the hearing. These include proposals to set timelines for delivering judgments and to expand the jurisdiction of election tribunals, to ensure swift and effective justice delivery.
“This Process Belongs to the People,” Senator Jibrin’s office underscored the significance of citizen participation in shaping the Constitution.
“The Constitution is a living document, and for it to reflect the yearnings of Nigerians, we must listen to their voices. We urge all Nigerians to attend the public hearings in their zones, share their perspectives, and help us build a stronger, fairer federation,” Mudashir added.
The upcoming public hearings mark a major step in what is expected to be a sweeping constitutional overhaul, touching on every aspect of governance: from the grassroots to the presidency. [BusinessDay]
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