Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has said that Nigeria urgently needs a new constitution capable of strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that governance truly benefits the people.
Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, made the remark during a consultative meeting with national chairmen, secretaries, and women leaders of registered political parties in Abuja on Monday.
He noted that although Nigeria has recorded progress in its democratic journey since 1999, the current constitutional framework still limits the growth of democracy and must be reworked to meet present realities.
“The constitution we have today permits democracy but does not enable it,” Kalu said. “We need a legal framework that empowers citizens, protects rights, and ensures that power truly belongs to the people.”
The 10th House of Representatives, led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, in collaboration with the Senate, is currently reviewing key sections of the 1999 Constitution to deepen good governance and strengthen public institutions.
Kalu revealed that his committee had recently conducted a nationwide consultation across the six geopolitical zones, engaging stakeholders on key reform areas such as power devolution, state police, local government autonomy, independent candidacy, and special seats for women in elective offices.
He disclosed that the final draft of the new constitutional review will be ready and presented to the National Assembly for consideration by December 2025.
Kalu urged political party leaders to critically review the proposed bills and make meaningful contributions before the draft is finalized.
“These reforms are not mere legal theories,” he said. “They address the very essence of democracy—ensuring fair elections, reducing endless litigations, and giving true power to the people. Twenty-six years after we returned to democracy, it’s time to give Nigeria a constitution that works for everyone.”
