Constitution Review: Akpabio Calls for Inclusive, Future-Focused Reforms

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, says the ongoing public hearings on the review of the 1999 Constitution are aimed at giving Nigerians the platform to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s supreme law.

Speaking at the South-South Zonal Public Hearing held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akpabio emphasized that the constitution review process is essential to align the nation’s laws with current realities and the aspirations of the Nigerian people.

Describing the event as more than a formality, he said, “Today’s hearing is a democratic rite—an opportunity for the people to speak into the soul of the nation. In a democracy, every voice counts.”

He noted that no constitution is perfect or permanent, adding that, “Reviewing our Constitution is not a weakness, but a strength. We amend not to erase the past, but to reshape our future in line with the will of the people.”

The Senate President said the zonal hearings reaffirm the National Assembly’s commitment to inclusive and participatory governance, giving all Nigerians, regardless of location, a chance to shape the legal framework of the country.

Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Barau Jibrin, represented by Senator Aniekan Bassey, assured the South-South people that their concerns and submissions would be given due consideration. He noted that the committee had already received several proposals but encouraged those who hadn’t submitted theirs to do so, as all memoranda would be reviewed.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, cautioned against allowing the review process to stir conflict at the grassroots. He described the public hearing as a vital step in Nigeria’s democratic journey toward restructuring.

Also speaking, Chairman of the South-South Constitution Review Committee, Senator Seriake Dickson, disclosed that the committee had received wide-ranging memoranda on key national issues such as security and policing, electoral reforms, local government autonomy, fiscal federalism, and constitutional roles for traditional institutions.

Groups that made submissions at the event included women, youth, persons with disabilities, labour unions, traditional rulers, and State Houses of Assembly from the South-South states.

The zonal public hearings are holding across the six geopolitical zones of the country to ensure that the ongoing constitutional review reflects the voices and yearnings of the Nigerian people.

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