The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and the chairman of House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has said that the new constitution of the country will be ready for presidential assent by 2026.
Kalu said this during the inauguration of the House Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution today, February 26.
According to Kalu, the plan to get a new working Constitution available is to give the President enough time to study the alterations and sign them into law before the election year.
Kalu said the House has so far received bill proposals for some many amendments and expansion including the establishment of state police; state access to mines; increased participation of women in politics; clear specification of the taxes/levies to be collected by each tier of government; the provision for the office of the Mayor of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and so much more.
He said several bill proposals that were passed but did not make the president’s assent during the fifth constitutional alteration have been returned to the current amendment, including powers of the National Assembly and State Assemblies to summon the President and State governors, and requirements of the government to direct policies towards ensuring the rights of citizens to food and food security.
According to him, this highlights the dynamic nature of the constitutional review process and its importance to strengthening the democracy Nigeria, adding that the House is willing to accommodate more proposals to enhance the Constitution.
He said the House is also waiting for executive-sponsored bill proposals that reflect issues on the renewed hope agenda of the President.
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