Senate President, Senator Goodwill Akpabio, says the ongoing Public Hearings on the review of the 1999 Nigerian constitution was designed to give Nigerians the opportunity to make inputs into the constitution of the country.
The Senate President stated this at the South-South Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution organized by the Senate in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. Senator Akpabio said the review of the Constitution became necessary to adapt the Constitution to the changing realities in the country and meet the dreams, aspirations and demands of the Nigerian people.
“Today’s event is not merely a formality. It is a democratic rite—a solemn moment in which the people, not politicians alone, speak into the soul of the nation. It is an affirmation that in a democracy, every voice counts.”
“Let us not forget that democracy is a work in progress. No constitution is eternal in its original form, and no democracy is perfect—because man himself is not perfect. But it is in our collective pursuit of perfection—that more perfect union—that the true beauty of democracy lies”.
“Therefore, the review of our Constitution is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. It is not a complaint against the past, but a commitment to the future. We amend not to abandon, but to realign—to adapt our national charter to the changing realities, dreams, and demands of the good people of Nigerian.”
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The Senate President added that the zonal public hearings afford Nigerians, irrespective of their locations, the opportunity to contribute their views on the constitutional review process, which reflects the Senate’s belief in inclusive and participatory governance.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review and Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, assured the people of the South-South region that their concerns, memoranda and submissions would be captured and considered in the review process of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
Senator Barau, represented by the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Senator Aniekan Bassey, said the Committee has already received several proposals and memoranda, noting that all those who could not submit their proposals, can still do so as all memoranda would be considered.
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who was represented by the State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, cautioned that the exercise should not be allowed to create breeding grounds for conflict and chaos in the grassroots.
“This public hearing is not a mere procedural step in legislative activity. It is an important moment in our democratic journey that must lead to the restructuring of the country”.
Chairman of the South-South Constitution Review Committee, Senator Seriaki Dickson, from Bayelsa State, said the Committee received numerous memoranda covering key areas of national interest such as security and policing, electoral reforms, local government autonomy, fiscal federalism and constitutional role for traditional institutions as well as electoral reforms.
Women, youth, persons living with disabilities, labour groups, the traditional institution and State Houses of Assembly from the region were some of the groups that presented their proposals at the event attended by stakeholders from all the states in the South-South region.
The Zonal Public Hearing on the constitution review, held in the six geopolitical zones of the country, is designed to gather Nigerians’ input on the proposed constitutional amendment.
