Nigeria needs constitution that addresses current challenges – Jibrin

• Sen. Barau Jibrin stresses the need for a new constitution addressing Nigeria’s challenges, aligning with people’s aspirations
• Jibrin calls for collaboration among stakeholders, including National Assembly, state assemblies, civil society groups, and political bodies

Deputy President of the Senate Sen. Barau Jibrin emphasized the necessity of a new constitution that addresses the challenges facing Nigeria today and aligns with its people’s aspirations. Jibrin, who also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review, called for collaboration among various stakeholders involved in the exercise, including the National Assembly, state assemblies, consultants, civil society groups, and political bodies.

Speaking at the joint retreat of the secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives committees on reviewing the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 in Abuja on Saturday, Jibrin commended the synergy between the constitution review secretariat and consultants. He stressed that this collaboration would foster harmony in the workings of both committees.

He stated, “We must work together. Our country is facing many challenges, and this is the right time to fashion a constitution that will be in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of this country.

“The world is dynamic and this compels all serious countries to go with modernity and fashion their laws in accordance with contemporary happenings within their peculiarities.

“We have started on a progressive note of collaboration and let us add momentum to this very important collaboration within our ranks in order to achieve a result that will help in driving the process of making prospective peace, justice and fair play in the way we run our affairs as a nation.”

Recalling that N1 billion was allocated for the constitution review exercise in the 2024 budget, with N500 million allocated to both the Senate and the House of Representatives, Jibrin highlighted the growing clamour for state police as a priority item for the review. He noted that with an increasing number of governors supporting the establishment of state police, passing this initiative may become simpler for the National Assembly.