The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has announced plans to hold a national dialogue on local government autonomy on Monday, December 2, 2024, in Abuja.
Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, made the announcement on Thursday during a briefing with committee members, outlining the event’s objectives and upcoming activities.
According to Hon. Kalu, the dialogue aims to foster meaningful discussions on strengthening local government autonomy, a key aspect of the ongoing constitutional review process.
“This event provides a vital platform to consolidate ideas and strategies for achieving a robust local government framework, essential to our efforts at constitutional reform,” he stated.
He added that additional public engagements would follow, including consultations on tax reforms as they relate to constitutional amendments and dialogues with political parties.
The committee also disclosed plans to commence zonal public hearings in January 2025. The hearings, which will take place in 12 states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, are aimed at gathering broad stakeholder input on proposed amendments.
The selected states are:
- North-East: Gombe and Borno
- North-Central: Nasarawa and Niger
- North-West: Kaduna and Sokoto
- South-East: Enugu and Imo
- South-South: Bayelsa and Cross River
- South-West: Lagos and Ondo
Hon. Kalu urged committee members to engage with stakeholders in their respective states, including state caucuses, governors, state houses of assembly, political parties, and civil society organizations.
“The stakeholder engagement list must cut across all relevant groups, ensuring inclusivity without bias toward political, religious, or tribal affiliations,” Kalu emphasized.
He encouraged representatives to develop localized plans for the hearings to ensure a well-rounded participation, stating, “What we expect is a full hall of stakeholders presenting their views on the 161 constitutional areas currently under review.”
The Deputy Speaker reiterated the committee’s commitment to fostering unity, strengthening federalism, and promoting a democratic framework that benefits all Nigerians.
