From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has solicited the support of the media towards the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Kalu, chairman of the House Special Committee on Constitution Review, at a meeting with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), on Wednesday in Abuja, said the parliament appreciates the role of the media in shaping public discourse.
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This is as the NGE led by its leaders presented to Kalu its position on the constitution alteration exercise.
The deputy speaker, who noted that the Committee had resolved to hold zonal public hearings in 12 centres across the country, solicited the participation and input of the media executives in the exercise.
“As the Fourth Estate, you are our partners in progress, and your role in shaping public discourse towards transparency, good governance and holding us accountable is deeply acknowledged and essential to our nation’s progress.
“As we move forward with the constitution review process, I urge you all to amplify our efforts in the committee. And to Nigerians, you are the reason we are here. I urge you all to please participate actively in the zonal public hearings and provide your inputs.
“We cannot do this by ourselves, we need to hear from you all to specifically know where the shoe hurts in order to achieve a comprehensive constitutional reform that truly reflects our values and aspirations. I believe that together, we can create a more just, equitable and prosperous society for all.”
While stating that the ongoing constitution review exercise was perhaps the most comprehensive in the history of Nigeria, he noted that the exercise would address fundamental issues bordering on governance, security, fiscal federalism and inclusive representation.
He disclosed that the thematic areas to be covered in the constitution alteration exercise include electoral reforms, gender and inclusive governance bills, security and police reforms, fiscal reforms, judicial reforms and devolution of powers
Earlier, the NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba, said the 1999 Constitution is defective, noting that while there have been piecemeal amendments, nothing much has changed.
Anaba, who was represented by the NGE Deputy President, Sebastian Abu, expressed hopes that the ongoing constitution review exercise would address the concerns of the citizens.
“I like to say that from the onset of the return of democracy in 1999 that so much debate has been going on about whether this constitution is truly the constitution of the people. And since then, what we have had are snippets of reviews or amendments, which have really not solved the key issues that we face as a country. So, this time around, we look forward to a more comprehensive review of the Constitution.”
He noted that despite the contributions of the media to democracy in the country, some aspects of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) criminalise the work of journalists. He expressed hope that those sections of the constitution would be reviewed in the overall interest of the country.
“The media as a bastion of democracy that had worked hard and paid with its blood to bring about this democracy, need to continuously be respected in this journey that we are all in together.
“Unfortunately, what we have seen over time is that the constitution itself, in a way, has seemed to criminalise some certain aspects of the work that the media do, and we feel it is important that we also look at this aspect of the law so that it can also be reviewed to ensure that our democracy continues to be sustained,” he stated.
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