Kano Retreat: Lawmakers Focus on LG Autonomy, State Police, and Women’s Rights

By Lekan Sowande, Abuja.

 

The Senate adhoc Committee on Constitution Review started it’s two-day, retreat in Kano on Friday with a disclosure that the National Assembly will produce the draft bill in December 2025.

Speakers at the event, jointly organised with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), wanted the proposed reviews to focus on Local Government Autonomy, State Police, and specific roles for traditional rulers in order to tackle issues of insecurity.

The forum agreed that the National Assembly panels at both chambers should hold joint engagements with the state governors, state assemblies, judiciary, civil society organisations and other critical stakeholders to guide against bills rejection at state levels.

In his welcome address, the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Jibrin Barau, pledged that the on going review of the nation’s constitution, would meet the wishes and aspirations of the people of the country.

He said, “It is an assignment for us to work in synergy with our colleagues and other stakeholders to produce an outstanding report and recommendations, which, of course, will be composed of suggestions and recommendations to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for further deliberation and approval.

“As we embark on this critical journey, let us remember the timeless values that make nations great: freedom, equality, and justice.

“These enduring ideals should guide us through this arduous task.

As we consider desirable amendments to our Constitution, I implore that we do so with the utmost care and consideration.

“Our decisions today will have far-reaching implications for generations to come, and we must ensure that they are in the best interests of all Nigerians.

“To  achieve meaningful reform, we must synergise with our esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review and collaborate with critical stakeholders, including the executive arm of government, State Governors, State Assemblies, the judiciary, and civil society organisations, to build consensus on contentious issues.

“Our collective success hinges on our ability to work together seamlessly, sharing ideas and expertise to develop a report to be submitted to the Senate for further legislative actions.

“This retreat presents a unique opportunity for constructive good-faith dialogue and collective problem-solving,”  Senator Barau stated.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who chairs the constitution review panel in the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, said the retreat provided an avenue for the Senate to reflect on the process and challenges of Constitution alteration.

He said other stakeholders would also have the opportunity to make inputs to help shape the direction, content and the approach that the Committee could take to achieve its desired goals.

Represented by the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, the deputy speaker said the synergy between both chambers would enable the federal parliament to conclude the Constitution alteration exercise within the proposed timeframe of December, 2025.

“This is to forestall a situation whereby Nigerians do not see the exercise through a political prism if political campaigns leading up to the 2027 elections have actively commenced,” Kalu said.

He suggested that the collaboration of the two chambers should include engagement with political leaders/traditional rulers and leaders of faith-based organisations.

Consultants to the panel

He also advocated joint meetings with State governors, and consultants to the panel, to harmonise documents.

He further suggested that the Senate and the House of Representatives panels would hold joint zonal public hearings to fix suitable dates to fast track the review process.

The Chairman, Conference of State Houses of Assembly Speakers Adebo Edward Ogundoyin, expressed delight that the review process started early compared to what happened in the last assembly.

He said the exercise started somewhat late in the 9th Assembly hence the views were transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly at a later date closer to the election.

Ogundoyin , who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said, “The last assembly experience invariably affected the decisions that were made by the State Houses of Assembly.

“By God’s grace, this exercise, coming up at this time would definitely give us ample time for us to review the views that were transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly for onward assents.

“At this juncture, we reiterate our earlier call for the prompt transmission of the National Assembly Resolutions on the proposed amendments to the State Houses of Assembly.

“Timely submission is essential to allow us at the sub-national level, to effectively fulfill our responsibility as due.

“We recall the challenges posed by the electionary activities during the 2023 general election, which nearly hampered the last constitutional alteration.

“We are determined to avoid such occurrences, and an early start will be key in ensuring a smooth and efficient process.”

The President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, expressed the hope that the 10th National Assembly will produce constitutional review targets that are realistic, andl meet the demands of Nigerians.

He said, “The last assembly had about 62 issues that were both passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“Forty four of the harmonized versions were passed and sent to the states  out of which 35 passed and were assented to  by the President then.”

Senator Lawan, however urged his colleagues to pay serious attention to the issues of women and the constitution roles for traditional rulers.

He said, “There were some issues that didn’t pass, even at the level of the two chambers,  for example, those  that affected women.

“Five of  those bills, did not pass.  I think, with the benefit of insight, we should look at those issues that did not pass,

“I think the time is right, and right, for the women’s forum to be given the opportunity to serve as appropriately as possible.

“I believe that our royal fathers have roles to play, especially when it comes to dealing with these issues across the country.

“Can’t we give them an advanced role, official, formal role, that will make them do better?”

He also urged his colleagues to give legislative powers to the judgement of the Supreme Court concerning local government autonomy.

“The National Assembly, should give effect to that judgment. States should mind their business and deal with the resources that are purely theirs. Our local governments must be resuscitated.”

“ At the moment, they are in comatose, collapsed, and completely docile and inefficient. In fact, in many states, they don’t even exist in practical sense”.

 

Lateefah Ibrahim