Constitution review: Deputy Speaker advocates stronger institutions

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has advocated for stronger institutions for enhanced democratic governance in Nigeria.

Kalu, who doubles as Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, said this at the committee’s consultation meeting with political parties in Abuja on Monday.

He said that the country needed stronger institutions that would not only permit democracy but also actively enabling it.

According to him, the constitution is not just a legal document but a social contract that must restore confidence and protect the people at all times, so we need strong institutions that do not permit democracy but actively enables it.

The Deputy Speaker, while recalling Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, said it had been 26 years of uninterrupted democracy with inherent constitutional lapses.

He noted that women remained largely under-represented with multiple post-election litigations that undermined confidence in the nation’s democracy.

The deputy speaker therefore urged political parties to make meaningful contributions towards the framing of a more acceptable constitution for national stability.

Similarly, the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio commended the House for its efforts in reforming the country’s constitution.

Akpabio, represented by the Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Mohammed Monguno, described the gathering as not just historic but a demonstration of the National Assembly’s commitment to true democracy.

According to him, every action points to how to deliver democracy for a just and stable Nigeria .

The Senate President also called for the strengthening of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adding that it was imperative to restore citizens confidence in the electoral process.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to true federalism, which he said must begin from the grassroot.

He reiterated calls for inclusion of women in the political participation, saying that “any nation that sidelines its women weakens itself”.

The senate president further said that it was time for Nigeria’s democracy to move from the level of sympathy to inclusion.

In the same vein, the Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Mr Yusuf Dantalle, called for the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECS) which he accused of conducting ”charades”.

Dantalle, represented by the Deputy Chairman , IPAC, Mr, Dipo Olayakan, said that IPAC had been at the forefront of advocacy for constitution reforms.

He also called for state policing which according to him was crucial in strengthening national security from the grassroot.

He further advocated for the creation of Independent Appointment Committee (IAC) to be responsible for the appointment of INEC chairman and commissioners.

According to him, this will guarantee the independence of the electoral commission.

The President, National Women’s Group of political parties in Nigeria, Ms, Darisma Ibrahim described the dialogue as more than a meeting but a call to action.

Ibrahim urged all to use the opportunity to build consensus for a just society where women are well represented.