Deputy Speaker Announces Timeline for 1999 Constitution Review

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has revealed that the first draft report of the ongoing review of the 1999 constitution will be ready by August 2024. He further stated that the final clean copy for presidential assent would be available in August 2025, after the voting on the expected issues of concern by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Kalu made these statements during a press conference by the House Committee on Constitution Review, where he outlined the timeline for the completion of the exercise. The committee, which gave itself a 24-month deadline for the conclusion of the review, aims to ensure a thorough and inclusive process.

According to Kalu, the first draft of the constitution will be ready in August 2024, followed by a second draft in October 2024. Zonal inputs are set to commence from October 2024, with continued collection of inputs from citizens as the committee prepares the final draft.

He highlighted key milestones in the process, including a harmonization of issues by the two chambers of the National Assembly in February 2025. The final report is expected to be laid for consideration and voting on 22nd May 2025, with the aim of transmitting the bills to the President for assent by August 2025.

Kalu called for the submission of memoranda from various interest groups, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Labour Unions, and the general public to aid the committee’s work. The thematic areas for submissions include Federal Structure and Power Devolution, Electoral Reforms, Socio-economic and Cultural Rights, among others.

The committee also extended the call for memoranda to include any other matter that promotes good governance and the welfare of all persons in the country on the principles of freedom, equality, and justice.

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