Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate on Friday said that the 10th National Assembly will produce a constitution that will take into cognisance the collective aspirations of Nigerians, shape, unite and accelerate the development of the country.

Akpabio gave this assurance at a 2-day retreat of the House of Representatives committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution organized by Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC) and United Kingdom International Development in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

The Senate President, however, called on the federal lawmakers to be thorough in the ongoing review of the constitution, stressing that every bill and proposal must receive the needed consideration.

This is as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman, Committee on Constitutional Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu revealed that a total of 305 proposals from Nigerians and 112 bills on various national issues are before the Committee of the House for consideration in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.

This is as the 36 Speakers of State Houses of Assembly and the government of Akwa Ibom State respectively declared their support for the establishment of state police, resource control, and decentralization of power amongst other national issues.

Applauding the work of the House committee, Akpabio said that the time has come for Nigerians to take their destiny into their hands.

He said: “I believe that at the end of the day, the Senate and the House of Representatives will create a blueprint that guides us towards a more united and prosperous Nigeria. This journey has just begun in this retreat.

“So, ladies and gentlemen, the challenges before us are significant, but so are the opportunities. This opportunity is to ensure that the bills, all bills we consider and comprehend are fair and reflective of the aspirations of the Nigerian people.

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“We must take into account the diverse perspectives and experiences that make up our great nation. By doing so, we lay a solid foundation for a constitution that truly represents the hope and dreams of every single Nigerian alive.

“Distinguished brothers and sisters, now is the time for us to take our destiny in our hands. Change will not occur if we passively wait for someone else or another institution or for a different time to undertake this venture with all the power to bring about a change to ourselves and change the purpose, and trajectory of our new country.

“We are the ones our country has been waiting for. We are the embodiment of the change our country needs. Let us rise up to this duty and answer our country’s call, particularly at a time when we have a Vice President as a legislator a President as a legislator and even the wife of the president as a legislator. This is the right time for us to shape the future of our country through legislation”.

In his address, the Deputy Speaker, Kalu highlighted the areas of top priority in the review process. The areas, he said included local govt autonomy, judiciary, electoral matters, state police, gender, human rights issues and others.

Kalu said that the thematic areas have been shared amongst the experts to handle.

It would be recalled that the committee has held a series of public engagements from its pre-inaugural meeting to the unveiling of sub-committees on work plan development; the inauguration of the Committee; the call for memoranda; appointment and inauguration of Consultants; retreat of the secretariat and consultants of the House; a joint committee secretariat and consultants of both the Senate and the House, incidentally setting a timeline to achieve the first set of amendment by December 2025.

Giving the details of the thematic areas, Kalu said that the consultants are expected to dig deep into the thematic areas, he said the local government matters are given to Professor Nuhu Jamo, the judiciary assigned to Barr. Mike Osuman (SAN); electoral matters to Hon. Samson Osagie; State Policing to Dr. Usman Ibrahim, gender issues to Prof. Anthonia Simbine; human rights issues to Chief Chris Uche (SAN) while other special matters are assigned to Professor Yusuf Yusuf to handle.

He said: “In keeping faith with the timeline it set for itself to achieve the first set of amendments by December 2025, the Committee has undertaken the following activities: pre-inaugural meeting; sub-committees on work plan development; inauguration of the Committee; call for memoranda appointment and inauguration of Consultants; retreat of the Secretariat and Consultants of the House joint Committee Secretariat and Consultants of both the Senate and the House.

“Today, the Committee will now be presented with the outcome of the review of the bills and memos received.

“Furthermore, the Constitutional amendments are instrumental in achieving better economic outcomes by modernizing legal frameworks, enhancing institutional capacity, enhancing Nigeria’s economic potentials, addressing emerging economic challenges and facilitating inclusive development.

“Constitutional amendments have become imperative for a couple of reasons including the need to adapt to changing economic realities; to strengthen property rights and the rule of law; to promote economic freedom and fear competition; to foster fiscal responsibilities and budgetary discipline; to enhance governance and accountability; to empower subnational government and; to facilitate for structural reforms.

“In line with our policy of full consultation with all segments of the people and the Nigerian Society, the Committee will begin meeting with identified sectors and work with thematic areas: Local government matters, Prof. Nuhu Jamo; Judiciary, Barr. Mike Osuman (SAN); Electoral Matters, Hon. Samson Osagie; State Policing, Dr Usman Ibrahim; Gender issues, Prof. Anthonia Simbine; other special matters, Prof. Yusuf Yusuf; and Human Rights, Chris Uche (SAN).

“Our consultations will extend to the Judiciary, election stakeholders, women groups, traditional rulers and civil society organizations among others.

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Constitutional Review: It’s Time To Unite Nigeria Through Legislations – Akpabio