PLAC, NASS engage stakeholders on key constitution reform bills

By Progress Godfrey

The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), in partnership with the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee, on Thursday convened a town hall meeting to deliberate on key Constitution amendment bills ahead of legislative voting.

The session, themed “The Constitution Amendment Proposals Ahead of Legislative Voting,” brought together lawmakers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to review priority reform areas and gather public input.

House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, said the exercise underscores the 10th Assembly’s commitment to inclusive governance and people-driven reforms.
He noted that the engagement was designed to ensure that proposed amendments reflect citizens’ aspirations and strengthen democratic institutions.

“We are committed to ensuring these reforms are robust, inclusive, and reflective of the true aspirations of the Nigerian people,” he said.

Key proposals under consideration include special seats for women in the National and State Assemblies, electoral reforms, state policing, fiscal federalism, and restructuring of local governments.

Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, urged lawmakers to prioritise critical reforms that would define the legacy of the current Assembly.

He stressed that while lobbying and political interests may influence decisions, lawmakers must remain guided by public interest.

“Leader, we cannot speak to every single member of the National Assembly. I know there’s a lot of lobbying and advocacy going on. There are other extraneous issues that we have no control over in terms of who votes for what. But I think what we are saying in this room is that if the 10th National Assembly will leave a legacy, the most important bills are what we have discussed here today: Special seats, local government reforms, security which is the state police, of course other forms of reform, but these are key issues,” he said.

He thanked all stakeholders for their contributions, noting that, “to continue to advocate on these issues and I hope that the National Assembly will give us a day for good and be able to vote in support of a lot of these issues that we have put forward. I thank you all and wish us a good evening.”

He also called for greater representation of women in governance, describing it as critical to strengthening democratic institutions.

Stakeholders further advocated inclusion of persons with disabilities and raised concerns over state policing, while calling for autonomy of the Office of the Auditor General and reforms in the appointment of the INEC chairman.

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