By Mercy Aikoye
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, emphasized the need for a constitution that works for Nigerians. He stated this at the 3rd Committee Retreat on Constitutional Review in Enugu.
Kalu said Nigerians want a constitution that empowers local governments, streamlines electoral justice, and guarantees women’s full participation in governance. “The work we do here in Enugu over the next few days will define the trajectory of Nigeria’s democracy for the next generation,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker urged members to focus on what unites them, not what divides them. He emphasized that constitutional amendments require meticulous drafting and rigorous scrutiny.
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, represented by Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai, highlighted the need for diligent judicial and police reforms. Ossai said the reforms would address socio-political, security, and economic challenges affecting the country.
Ossai suggested capturing the concept of geopolitical zones in the constitution to drive inclusive government and governance. “There is none of us here, in this room, that will be detained in any of the police cells in this country for three hours, and you will not accept a crime you don’t commit,” he said.
The Deputy Governor emphasized the need for magistrates on call to determine whether someone should be held in custody or not. This, he said, would help address the problem of suspects being detained for too long.
The proposed reforms aim to bring about positive change in Nigeria. The Committee’s work is crucial in shaping the country’s future.
