The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Saturday emphasised that the support of Nigerian governors is crucial to the success of the ongoing constitution review process.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on the sidelines of the Retreat of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, Kalu, who chairs the committee, expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) for its support and engagement in the exercise so far.
He also acknowledged the contributions and interest of the Conference of Speakers, urging them to help fast-track the process once the reviewed document reaches their respective states.
Hon. Kalu noted that the committee had almost concluded preparations for the parliament to vote on the alteration bills.
He said, ‘We are making an appeal to you because we need you. Please, help us thank your brother governors for supporting the initiative of the Constitution review. The Governors’ Forum has in one way or the other shown us support.
‘From the chairman to any other person in the Forum, please, express our gratitude when you meet with them. One or two more engagements, we will be done with this. Please, appreciate them.
‘Also, please, let them know that without them we cannot make this Constitution. It is not possible because of the Houses of Assembly that will need to go through this document. We will not coerce the Houses of Assembly.
‘But we know you can liaise with them to help get this document back to us as quickly as possible. If the governors are not in support, we will be running in circles. But with progressively minded governors like you, I am sure you will speak to your colleagues to keep backing us up for them to know that we need them and for them to partner with us.
ALSO READ: https://tribuneonlineng.com/tinubu-approves-n70bn-solar-power-project-in-12-varsities/
‘The Conference of Speakers has shown interest and the chairman participated in one way or the other. He has been giving us support but we should not end our relationship only in engaging with them. We need you, who are the major stakeholders, to help us push this through.’
Highlighting the critical issues in the constitution amendment process, Kalu, who led members of the committee on the visit, explained that Nigerians desired a more functional constitution that would empower local governments to deliver services, streamline electoral justice, strengthen fiscal federalism, guarantee women’s full participation in governance, and enhance accountability at all levels.
In his remarks, Governor Peter Mbah commended the Deputy Speaker for simplifying the process and making it participatory through the zonal public hearings.
‘Let me once again welcome you to this historic city. Thank you so much for honouring us with your presence. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, once again, for choosing Enugu as a venue for this retreat.
‘I want to commend your leadership and diligence over the period of the public hearing. You have come out to demonstrate such commitment in this process and I think for the first time, we are now taking it even to the granular level, getting to the details, looking at the clauses, line by line. This is what this retreat is all about. So, I want to thank you and commend you. Welcome to Enugu State,’ he said.