On Wednesday, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review released a timetable for zonal public hearings across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Deputy Speaker and Committee Chairman, Benjamin Kalu, emphasized the need for the ongoing amendments to the 1999 Constitution to reflect the collective will of the Nigerian people.
“In accordance with our Constitution’s preamble, which begins with ‘We the People of Nigeria,’ this process is people-centered. We are taking democracy to the doorsteps of every Nigerian to ensure that no voice is left unheard,” Kalu said. The hearings will be held in two phases. The northern zones are scheduled for Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 13, 2025, while the southern zones will hold their sessions from Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20, 2025. A national public hearing will take place in Abuja on Monday, July 21.
Zonal hearing centres include: North Central: Minna (Niger, Kwara, Kogi) and Lafia (Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, FCT); North West: Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina) and Sokoto (Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi); North East: Gombe (Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba) and Maiduguri (Borno, Yobe, Adamawa); South South: Yenagoa (Bayelsa, Edo, Delta) and Calabar (Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom); South East: Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi) and Owerri (Imo, Abia); South West: Lagos (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo) and Akure (Ondo, Osun, Ekiti)To promote meaningful participation, Kalu announced the release of a simplified compendium of all proposed constitutional amendments, available for download at [www.hccr.gov.ng](http://www.hccr.gov.ng). The document highlights major theme areas and summaries of each proposal to help the public engage effectively.
Key thematic areas include electoral and judicial reforms, legislative efficiency, devolution of powers, institutional strengthening, fiscal federalism, inclusive governance, gender equity, local government autonomy, security architecture, traditional institutions, and the creation of new states and LGAs.
Kalu also stressed that gender concerns are deliberately integrated into broader themes to enhance inclusivity.He called on the media to play a central role in public sensitisation, noting, “Without the media, there is no transparency. Your role is critical to the success of this reform process. Addressing doubts over the effectiveness of past constitution reviews, Kalu said, “Reform is not a one-time event. It represents an investment in justice, equity, and national growth. Through past efforts, we’ve seen significant gains, such as the devolution of powers in energy, transport, and telecommunications.”
He urged Nigerians, including civil society groups, traditional rulers, youth and women’s organisations, faith-based institutions, and professionals, to actively participate. “Don’t be a fence-sitter. If you don’t participate right now, don’t complain afterward. The Constitution belongs to all of us, and together we can shape a document that reflects the true aspirations of our nation,” he said.
Source : https://thefindernews.com/
