From INIOBONG SUNDAY, Uyo
Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman, Senate Committee on the ongoing Consultations ahead of the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Jibrin Barau, has assured Nigerians, especially ethnic minorities that far – reaching resolutions that would address the prevailing socio- political and economic challenges would be be incorporated into the document at the conclusion of the exercise.
Speaking during the opening of the South-South zonal public hearing on the constitutional amendment bills weekend at the Four Point By Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene local government area of Akwa Ibom state, Senator Barau, who was represented by the Senator for Akwa Ibom Northeast, Senator Aniekan Bassey, assured of due diligence in ensuring that all interests were carried along.
He explained that the 10th Senate constituted the Constitution Review Committee, CRC, in response to growing public demands for a more inclusive and responsive constitutional framework.
“Our goal is to foster a broad national consensus, not just amplify the voices of a powerful minority that dominate media spaces. We have invited proposals and memoranda from Nigerians to shape amendments that reflect the ideals of freedom, equality, justice, and good governance”, he stressed.
Senator Barau outlined key areas under review, to include electoral and judicial reforms, local government administration, the role of traditional institutions, human rights protections, gender equality, security and policing, as well as the overall structure of the Nigerian federation.
The Committee Chairman, therefore, urged stakeholders to approach the exercise with seriousness and responsibility, noting that “your participation is a civic duty and a contribution to shaping our democratic journey and national destiny”.
He pointed out that “the review process is a collaborative efforts between the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly”, adding that
“the zonal hearing is one of several nationwide consultations aimed at gathering public inputs into the proposed amendments to the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
However, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who declared the forum open and the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, tasked participants on peaceful deliberations to arrive at positive outcomes that would move the country and the people toward.
