Senate holds public hearing on constitutional amendment across geo-political zones

Nigeria’s Senate is set to hold a two-day public hearing on the amendment of the 1999 constitution.

The public hearing which has been slated for May 26th-27th is to hold in two states in each of the geo-political zones in the country.

In a statement Wednesday signed by Ovie- Omo Agege, who is the Deputy Senate president and also chairman of the committee on the review of the 1999 constitution, invite stakeholders, civil society, government functionaries, professional bodies, and all interested persons to come and attend the hearing.

Among the issues which have been listed for hearing are; the federal structure in governance and power devolution, gender equity/increased participation of women and vulnerable groups in governance, local government administration/ and local government autonomy, constitution provision for the establishment of state police among others issues.

Nigeria’s constitution which was enacted in 1999 at the Advent of the current fourth republic has continued to attract criticism from a wide spectrum of Nigerians. It generally believed that the constitution was imposed on Nigerians by the military and does not solve the myriad of challenges bedeviling the country.

However, the amendment is coming amid increased agitations by Nigerians, political leaders, ethnic-nationality groups for the restructuring of the country and devolution of powers to the regions amid the worsening spate of insecurity across the country.