By George Ozalla
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, PhD, CFR, has called on political leaders and stakeholders across Nigeria to seize the ongoing constitutional review process as an opportunity to strengthen democracy and promote national development.
Speaking at a special session of the House Committee on Constitution Review tagged “Consultation With Leaders of Political Parties” in Abuja on Monday, Kalu, who also chairs the committee, said the exercise presents a defining moment to make Nigeria’s democracy work better for the people through collective action and shared vision.
According to the press release signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Kalu emphasized that for constitutional amendments to be legitimate, they must carry the consent of the people and reflect a broad consensus that transcends party lines. He described the engagement with party leaders as essential to building a strong and inclusive democracy.
The Deputy Speaker outlined key focus areas of the constitutional review, including guaranteed women’s representation in legislative houses, financial autonomy for local governments, and reforms to streamline Nigeria’s electoral process. He noted that these issues go to the heart of democratic practice and must be treated as national priorities rather than partisan concerns.
“In the last twenty-six years, Nigeria’s democracy has relied on the goodwill of a few committed leaders to survive. But goodwill alone is not enough. We need strong institutions, clear rules, and a Constitution that not only permits democracy but actively enables it. This is our moment to get it right,” he said.
According to the press release signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu urged political party leaders to focus on common national interests such as credible elections, gender inclusion, effective local governance, and true federalism. He stressed that these ideals form the foundation for a stronger Nigeria.
He called on all stakeholders to study the proposed amendments, engage constructively, and bring their ideas to the table, reminding them that the success of the process depends on broad-based support from both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
“The Constitution is not just a legal document; it is a social contract, a promise we make to each other about the kind of country we want to build,” Kalu stated, urging unity, patriotism, and commitment to a people-driven reform process.
The Deputy Speaker commended members of the Committee on Constitution Review for their dedication to ensuring inclusiveness and expressed optimism that, through sustained collaboration, Nigeria would evolve a Constitution that reflects the aspirations of all its citizens.
