Senator Barau Calls for Steadfastness as Constitution Review Process Enters Final Phase

It is a great pleasure to gather here as we continue deliberations on the proposals to amend the Constitution, with the goal of building a better, more secure, united and prosperous Nigeria where peace and justice prevail. I warmly welcome you all to this meeting with the Conference of State Legislatures.

Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members may recall our session in Lagos a month ago, where we debated the Bills and adjourned to allow for further consultation and consideration. I thank you sincerely for your commitment and steadfastness toward delivering on this crucial legislative task.

Today’s meeting is expected to be less deliberative, except where there is a substantive motion to revisit any matter already concluded at our previous sitting. The main purpose of this gathering is to approve the positions earlier reached and to receive reports from the sub-committees assigned to carry out additional legislative work on some of the Bills, including matters relating to the creation of States and Local Governments.

This meeting also aims to ensure that State Houses of Assembly—our essential and strategic partners in the Constitution alteration process—are fully integrated into the issues we have sifted from the various public hearings and consultations held across different zones and states. It will provide them the opportunity to make observations and contributions before we present our report to plenary, and before the Bills that meet the requirements of Section 9 of the Constitution are transmitted to them.

I urge all of you to remain steadfast and committed in this final phase of the assignment so that we may fulfil our promise to Nigerians by ensuring that the Bills are transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly before the end of this year.

Once again, I thank you all and wish us successful deliberations.

Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Senator Barau I. Jibrin, CFR, FCNA
Deputy President of the Senate / Chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution