Constitution Review: Politicians Downplay Electoral Reforms
At public hearings on the review of Nigeria’s Constitution, citizens clamour for a multitude of amendments including ridiculous demands for states creation, state police, special seats for women, youth and persons with disabilities in government, as well as electoral reforms that would guarantee free, fair and credible elections, but politicians seem bent on scuttling electoral reforms in their bid to continue to rig elections in their favour
By Edu Abade
The first thing that strikes any discerning mind during the public hearings on the review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) organized by the Senate and House of Representatives is that official campaigns for the 2027 general elections have commenced, what with a pledge by Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, that whatever Nigerians wanted would be granted.
This Abass pledge, political pundits argued, is a mere political statement, to say the least. Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives and Chairman, South West Centre A domiciled in Lagos, Isiaka Ibrahim Ayokunle, who presented the position of Speaker of the House, assured delegates from all walks of life that the House was committed to ensuring that the review reflected the diverse and broad views of Nigerians, saying, “Together we can shape a constitutional future that will benefit all Nigerians.”
Also, Consultant to the Constitutional Review Compendium Committee, Barrister Seni Adio (SAN), said no fewer than between 86 and 90 bills were being considered in the House of Representatives for what he described as “very fundamental changes to the Nigerian Constitution, just as Abbas assured that whatever the citizen desired should be considered resolved and taken care of.
Adio, who further described the reforms being proposed as profound and inclusive, explained that some of the most pressing demands include dedicated seats for women and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in governance at both the state and federal levels, electoral reforms, devolution of powers to the states and the conduction of general elections in one day.