Connect with us

News

North West Senate Constitution Amendment Zonal Hearing Commences in Kano

Published

9 months ago

on

 

Efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to align with contemporary realities continue today with the opening of a two-day North West zonal public hearing of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review in Kano State.

The hearing, held at the Bristol Palace Hotel in the ancient city of Kano, has drawn participants from the seven States in the region: Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

At the hearing, stakeholders from the seven states, including civil society, organised interest groups, traditional institutions, professional associations, and others, will articulate and discuss their various positions on all issues related to constitutional amendments.

Setting the tone for the public hearing, the Deputy President of Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Barau I Jibrin, in his opening address, said the Senate was not predisposed to any particular positions of amendments, but will fully gauge the pulse of the general public to arrive at a concensus on all proposed amendments in consonance with extant legislative processes.

” Since our nation’s return to constitutional democracy in 1999, following a prolonged period of military dictatorship, the calls for amendments and reviews to the Constitution have remained persistent and vigorous.

Advert

” In response to growing demands, the 10th Senate constituted the Constitution Review Committee to address citizens’ calls for amendments to the Constitution. The Committee’s mandate is to foster a broad national consensus, rather than echo the voices of a powerful minority that dominate media platforms. This context guided the Committee as it sought memoranda and proposals from Nigerians on potential constitutional changes aimed at enhancing good governance and promoting the welfare of all individuals, rooted in the principles of freedom, equality and justice.

” Members of the Committee hold no preconceived opinions to impose upon you but are committed to being guided by legislative practices grounded in the highest ethical standards, integrity, open-mindedness, and patriotism. I implore all stakeholders to provide their input in accordance with these standards while maintaining the utmost decorum and responsibility,

” Several key issues we need to address include electoral reforms and adjudication; judicial reforms focused on case management and administration; enhancements to local government administration; the involvement of traditional institutions in contemporary governance; promoting human rights; ensuring gender equity and inclusion in governance; the devolution and distribution of powers; the structure of our federation; and concerns related to security and policing.

” We have carefully reviewed and translated your memoranda into bills, which we now present to you for further input and discussion, “Senator Barau said.

Reiterating the critical role of achieving a broad consensus on all issues in the review exercise, Senator Barau called for effective collaboration among the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly and an understanding of the executive and judicial arms of government.

” It is crucial to recognise that our committee’s work represents a collaborative effort with our esteemed colleagues in both the House of Representatives and the State Houses of Assembly. To achieve the vital constitutional reforms, we must unite and work in harmony. I am encouraged by the numerous national and state legislators present today, all of whom share a common vision. Our collaboration will not end with this public hearing; together, we will enhance our contributions to produce outcomes that resonate with a national consensus, always prioritising the interests of our citizens.

” Additionally, it is imperative to engage the understanding of our executive and judicial branches of government, as they are fundamental in executing the will of the people and enforcing the rule of law. A law that lacks implementation is, by definition, ineffective, and we must avoid this pitfall as we pursue our objectives,” he said.

The hearing concludes tomorrow, July 27th, 2025.

Related Topics:

News

Insecurity: US lawmaker accuses Matawalle of bribe attempt to silence recommendation calling for his sack

Published

51 minutes ago

on

April 21, 2026

By

Governor Matawalle

 

Kimberly Daniels, a United States Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 14, has alleged that Nigeria’s minister of state for defense, Bello Matawalle, attempted to bribe a US official to deflect the narrative of the United World Congress of Diplomats, UN-WCD, report.

The lawmaker made the claim in a viral video released on her official Facebook account on Monday.

She said Matawalle’s alleged move was to cover up the UN-WCD report on Christian genocide in Nigeria, which indicted him.

Daniels insisted that no amount of pressure can silence her stand against the killings of Christians in Nigeria.

Advert

“A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” she said in the viral video.

Recall that Daniels, who doubled as the chairperson of UN-WCD, had called for President Bola Tinubu to remove Matawalle over alleged complicity in the killings in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other parts of Nigeria.

Matawalle is yet to officially reply the US lawmaker.

Daniels alleged that following her recent press statement on what she described as targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, she came under pressure from individuals she linked to the minister, including what she characterised as attempts to discredit her report and “buy support” from US-based elected officials.

According to her, an unnamed American lawmaker allegedly received an offer of financial inducement to publicly counter her position and defend the Nigerian defence leadership.

She claimed to have received evidence of a communication, including a prepared statement and promotional material, purportedly linked to the minister.

She also claimed that the bribery attempt is meant to divide America elected officials not knowing that they are united.

Continue Reading

News

Just In:President Tinubu Sacks Minister Of Finance

Published

5 hours ago

on

April 21, 2026

By

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council.

According to a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.

Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.

Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD .) has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.

Advert

The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”

Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).

The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.

The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”

Signed:

Yomi Odunuga,
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

21-04-2026

Continue Reading

News

JUST IN: FG Files 13 Count Charges Against Alleged Coup Plotters

Published

12 hours ago

on

April 21, 2026

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. Among those named in the suit are a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and three other suspects.

Advert

According to security sources, the coup was scheduled to be executed on Nigeria’s Independence Day. However, the plot was uncovered after preparations and plans were leaked, leading to its successful disruption.

The development prompted the Federal Government to cancel the Independence Day programme—a move described as highly unusual by political observers.

Continue Reading

Trending