The house of representatives has fixed September 22 to holda national public hearing on the proposed review of the 1999 Constitution inAbuja, the nation’s capital. The public hearing was initially fixed for July 21 but waspostponed in honour of the late President Muhammadu Buhari. In a statement issued on Friday, the house, through AkinRotimi, its spokesperson, asked Nigerians and stakeholders to “activelyparticipate” in the event. “This national forum will consolidate citizens’contributions ahead of legislative voting on the Constitution Review Bills,”the statement reads. “It demonstrates the House’s commitment to inclusive andparticipatory governance, ensuring that Nigerians have a direct platform toshape constitutional reforms.” The house asked Nigerians to review the compendium of 86constitution review bills at bit.ly/HCCRCompendium for the explanatorymemoranda and detailed notes to guide contributions. Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house and chairman ofthe constitution review committee, described the 1999 Constitution as thepeople’s document, which must reflect the people’s aspirations.“I urge citizens and stakeholders to participate fully inthe national public hearing and make their voices count, because only throughyour contributions can we achieve a truly participatory and people-drivenconstitutional review,” he said. The house held a zonal public hearing in July. Voting on the bills will take place on October 14 at thesenate and house of representatives. The bills would be transmitted to state assemblies byOctober 30 for concurrence.
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