Constitution Review: Reps Leadership Vows Inclusive Process, Urges Broad Participation at Kaduna Zonal Hearing

By Blessing Patrick

The leadership of the House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the views and aspirations of all Nigerians are reflected in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.

Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Aliyu Madaki, gave the assurance on Friday during a courtesy visit to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, ahead of the North-West Zonal Public Hearing scheduled for Saturday in Kaduna.

Hon. Madaki noted that stakeholders from Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina States are expected to participate in the hearing, which is part of the 11th Constitution Amendment process.

Accompanying him were the Chairman of the Labour Party Caucus, Hon. Victor Ogene; Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market and Other Institutions, Hon. Bob Solomon; Hon. Abubakar Fulata; Hon. Amos Magaji; Clerk of the Zonal Committee, Alhaji Aliyu Maccido; and his Deputy, Hajiya Halima Mohammed Sambo.

Addressing journalists, Hon. Madaki urged citizens to turn out en masse for the public hearing, emphasizing the importance of inclusive participation.

“Our call is for everyone to freely attend and participate. We are here to listen to the wishes of the Nigerian people,” he said.

He explained that all submissions from the zonal hearing would be collated in line with parliamentary procedure before being transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly for further consideration.

“Constitution review is a rigorous task. For any amendment to pass, it requires approval by two-thirds of the State Assemblies—24 states plus the FCT,” he added.

Hon. Madaki assured that the committee is open to receiving and addressing concerns from all segments of society.

In his remarks, Governor Uba Sani—represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe—commended the House for decentralizing the hearing process and bringing it closer to the people.

“It is commendable that our federal lawmakers have taken this important exercise beyond Abuja to the zones. This is democracy in action—broadening participation, fostering robust conversations, and ensuring diverse voices are heard and reflected in our national framework,” she said.

Dr. Balarabe emphasized that constitution review is more than a legal formality; it is a bold democratic responsibility aimed at correcting imbalances, addressing structural flaws, and enhancing inclusivity.

“The issues under consideration—devolution of powers, state policing, fiscal federalism, judicial reform, autonomy of government institutions, citizen rights, gender equity, and electoral reform—are critical and impact the everyday lives of Nigerians,” she stated.

She called on citizens, civil society groups, traditional and religious leaders, professional associations, women and youth groups, and other stakeholders to take full advantage of the hearing in Kaduna.

“This is a chance to make our voices heard—constructively, boldly, and patriotically. The quality of the constitution we build depends on the quality of input we offer.”

The Deputy Governor also expressed support for proposals to guarantee women special quotas in elective and appointive positions, highlighting the historical disadvantage faced by Nigerian women in politics.

“In Northern Nigeria, women only started participating in politics in 1976. We must recognize that women represent half of our population, and excluding their voices is not healthy for our polity,” she said.

She said the zonal hearing offers a unique opportunity for citizens to influence Nigeria’s constitutional future.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Constitution Review committee in the North -East centre and Minority Whip of the House, Isa Ali, says the desire of Nigerians has always been the concern of lawmakers of the 10th Assembly in the House of Representatives.

This, he said, was the reason behind the resolve of the Constitution Review committee, chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, to organize public hearings in 12 centres across the country to get the opinions of the people in the ongoing constitution review process.

Isa Ali made this known when he led members of the committee on a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Borno state, Professor Babagana Zulum.

He said they were in Maiduguri to listen to the people on what their concerns are especially in areas not captured in the constitution, like the role of traditional rulers.

He said earlier they had paid a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai, who expressed his concern about the security situation in the country, which he feels should be part of what the committee should give a special attention.

The Governor of Borno state, represented by his Deputy, Usman Kadafur, commended the House of Representatives for always standing on the side of the Nigerian people, especially on policies that seem injurious to thier well-being.

He expressed concern on the insecurity bedeviling some parts of the country, especially the northern part.