The National Assembly on Monday announced that it has reached the final stretch of Nigeria’s Constitution amendment process after holding what leaders described as a decisive joint retreat in Abuja. The gathering, which brought together members of the Constitution Review Committee and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, marked the last major engagement before lawmakers proceed to vote on a series of far-reaching constitutional alteration bills.
Senate Deputy President and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin, made it clear that the retreat was no longer intended for debate. He explained that most of the crucial issues had already been settled during the Lagos retreat held a month earlier, leaving only the task of ratifying earlier agreements and completing technical documentation. He stressed that this phase represents the final commitment to Nigerians that the amendment bills will be transmitted to state assemblies before the end of the year.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, echoed the same sense of urgency. He described the retreat as the point where the entire process shifts from discussion to actual decision-making, adding that the country had arrived at a defining moment in its legislative journey. According to him, the committee had engaged in six zonal hearings, held three technical retreats, and consulted widely with governors, political parties, security agencies, traditional leaders, women’s groups and civil society organisations. These engagements, he noted, showed strong support across the country for reforms aimed at strengthening federalism, improving security, deepening fiscal responsibility and enhancing representation.
Kalu reminded participants that the real test of the amendment process now lies with the 36 State Houses of Assembly, since the Constitution requires approval from at least two-thirds of them before any alteration becomes law. He described state lawmakers as the “gatekeepers” of Nigeria’s constitutional future and urged them to return to their states with a full understanding of what the proposed reforms seek to achieve.
Senator Barau added that this final retreat was deliberately designed to ensure complete alignment across the tiers of government before the bills are forwarded for voting. In the same spirit, the Deputy Speaker announced that all governors would be formally briefed on Wednesday to help avoid political stumbling blocks and ensure that the process moves forward smoothly. He clarified that the briefing is not intended to undermine executive authority but to reinforce cooperative federalism and to help deliver the kind of democratic outcomes Nigerians expect.
As deliberations formally conclude, sub-committee reports will now be harmonised and taken to plenary sessions in both chambers for voting. The exercise is expected to be one of the most consequential legislative moments of the 10th National Assembly. Should the proposals gain the required approval from state assemblies, Nigeria may witness significant constitutional changes before the end of the legislative year.
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