News

Constitution Review: Senate holds public hearing in 6 Geopolitical Zones

Published

1 year ago

June 22, 2025

/home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Barau-Jibrin.jpg&description=Constitution Review: Senate holds public hearing in 6 Geopolitical Zones', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

/home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Barau-Jibrin.jpg&description=Constitution Review: Senate holds public hearing in 6 Geopolitical Zones', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

ADVERTISEMENT

The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution is set to organise a comprehensive 2-day Zonal Public Hearing in the country’s six geo-political zones to gather Nigerians’ input on the proposed constitutional amendments.

The committee, chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, said the public hearing which will be held simultaneously in Lagos (South West), Enugu (South East), Ikot Ekpene (South South, Jos (North Central) Maiduguri, (North East) and Kano (North West), is convened to gather the inputs of citizens on the proposed amendments to the nation’s Constitution.

The hearing, scheduled for July 4th and 5th, 2025, will examine critical national issues, including local government autonomy, electoral and judicial reforms, state creation, state police and inclusive governance.

The Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said one of the bills, proposes the establishment of Local Government Councils as a tier of government to guarantee their democratic existence and tenure.

This is part of a renewed push to grant full autonomy to the country’s 774 Local Government Councils.

The second bill on local government reforms seeks to create an independent National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) to organise, conduct and supervise local government elections.

Also to be considered during the zonal public hearing are two bills on security and policing for the establishment of state police and state security council to coordinate internal security policies at the sub-national level.

In the area of fiscal reforms, six bills are going to be considered including the one to empower the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission to enforce compliance of remittance of accruals into and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account and streamline the procedure for reviewing the revenue allocation formula.

Also, on fiscal reforms, a bill to alter the provisions of the constitution to specify the period within which the president or the governor of a state shall present the appropriation bill before the National Assembly or House of Assembly will be discussed during the hearing.

In a fresh move toward gender equity, the Committee will also consider a bill to provide additional seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.

To strengthen traditional institutions, a Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution to establish the National Council of Traditional Rulers, the State Council of Traditional Rulers, and the Local Government Council of Traditional Rulers would also be considered.

On electoral reforms, a proposal seeking the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to allow for independent candidacy at all levels of election, from local councils to the presidency, will also be discussed at the public hearing. This is just as a bill for diaspora voting to enfranchise Nigerians abroad has been listed for consideration.

The hearing will consider over 20 bills seeking to overhaul the country’s judiciary, including timelines for judgment delivery and expanded jurisdiction for election tribunals.

In a bold push for devolution of powers, proposals have been made to transfer items like labour and shipping from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List.

Also to be considered during the public hearing are 31 proposals on state creation, with five requests each from the South West, South South, and North Central geopolitical zones. The committee has received seven requests from the North East, six from the North West, and three from the South East.

The committee stressed the importance of public engagement in shaping the country’s constitution, calling everyone to participate during the zonal public hearing.

News

Delta Govt Suspends Commissioner For Works(Highway and Urban Roads) Hon.Izeze Indefinitely

Published

5 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Austin Ojomah

ADVERTISEMENT

The Delta State Government has announced the indefinite suspension of Hon.Izeze Rume Yakubu Reuben, Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads) with immediate effect.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Eze Emu, the suspension is to enable the Security Agencies carry out an unbiased investigation of allegations associating him with the assault on the Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Mr. Simon Mudi also known as (Temple) at the Petroleum Training Institute(PTI) Effurun,recently.

The statement added that the State Government remains committed to the maintenance of public safety in all circumstances which guarantees law and order and the sanctity of lives.This position is upheld even when institutions of state are involved.

News

Confusion as Cross River deputy gov escapes death in Ugep crash

Published

5 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Austin Ojomah

ADVERTISEMENT

The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Dr Peter Odey, has reportedly escaped an accident involving his convoy in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred at about 2pm on Sunday while Odey and his entourage were returning to Calabar from Obanliku Local Government Area, where they had attended a stakeholders’ engagement on the proposed concession of the Obudu Ranch Resort.Government Although the condition of the deputy governor could not be independently confirmed as of press time, several members of his convoy were reportedly injured in the crash.

Although the condition of the deputy governor could not be independently confirmed as of press time, several members of his convoy were reportedly injured in the crash.

A Government House press bus conveying some appointees and staff attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor was said to have veered off its lane near an Army checkpoint in Ugep before crashing into three sandbag barricades.News One of the occupants, whose identity was not immediately known, reportedly sustained an injury to the leg, while another was said to have suffered bleeding from the nose.

The extent of the injuries could not be immediately ascertained, as those involved were expected to undergo medical assessment.History Sources also disclosed that several vehicles were damaged in the accident, although the extent of the damage remained unclear.Lakes & Rivers The incident is reportedly the third accident involving the deputy governor’s convoy in the past two months, raising concerns over the condition and availability of vehicles attached to his office.

Further checks indicated that the fleet attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor had been depleted, with vehicles from the governor’s convoy reportedly being deployed for official movements when necessary. Officials in the Office of the Deputy Governor declined to comment on the incident when contacted. Further details on the crash, including the condition of the deputy governor and other persons involved, were still being awaited as authorities assess the incident.

News

Titilola Adeleke, leads women in protest against arrest, violence

Published

5 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Austin Ojomah

ADVERTISEMENT

The Osun State First Lady, Titilola Adeleke, on Monday led a protest by women in the state against what they considered “indiscriminate arrest and violence” ahead of Saturday’s guber election.

Adeleke, who was joined by women from different groups of traders and artisans in the state, led the march, which commenced along the Osogbo-Ilobu Road and terminated at the road leading to the Osun State Police Command along the West Bypass.

Also present at the protest were the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ayobola Awolowo, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Market Affairs, Eniola Omotosho, among others.

The protesters, armed with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Election is not war,” “Stop indiscriminate arrest of our husbands,” “We want a free and fair election” and “Police must be neutral,” were prevented from proceeding to the main entrance of the command.

They were, however, attended to by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Samuel Etaifo, who assured them that the command would address their concerns.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Adeleke said the women were on the streets to demand a peaceful election and called on the police to invite some notable chieftains of the All Progressives Congress for questioning over the rising incidents of violence in the state.

She said, “We are demanding a free and fair election in the forthcoming poll. We want peace; let there be peace. Invite APC chieftains for questioning. They should stop killing our husbands and children. Make them sign an undertaking. From what we heard, we learnt that they will start picking our leaders up this week.

Last Friday, they picked up the Commissioner for Environment. He was brought here, stripped naked. This is not good enough. They should leave our people alone.”

The governor’s wife subsequently presented a letter containing the protesters’ demands to the police commissioner.

Responding, Etaifo said the command had worked hard to de-escalate tension in the state since his arrival and assured the protesters that their demands would be considered.

“I have been here for the past two weeks. The IG was here because of the heightened tension in the state. For the first time in history, the IG directed the CP election to come three weeks to the election.

“If you notice, since I came, we have relative peace in the state, but the problem we have is that we cannot continue to tolerate what you have done today because it will not contribute to peace; it will cause tension again. Let us assume that you come out now and the other party comes out, then both of you meet; what will happen?” Etaifo said.

He added, “We are going back and restrategising to attend to all your demands. Why I am discussing with you is because we don’t want tension before the election; we want peace. We cannot conduct an election in an insecure environment.

“I have a mandate from the IG to come to the state to stabilise things, give an enabling environment for every political actor to exercise their franchise, and create public confidence for everyone to come out to vote on election day.”

Etaifo warned that the police would not tolerate any act capable of negatively affecting Saturday’s election, adding that anyone caught violating the law would be arrested and taken to Abuja.

“If you are a manipulator of any election, that is even the worst.

The IG and Nigeria will not forgive you. I will arrest you and take you to Abuja because this election is a federal election; we must get it right,” he said.

The police commissioner commended the protesters for conducting a peaceful demonstration but urged them to return home to prevent any incident.

“I want to applaud you for this protest being peaceful, but I want to implore you to go back so that nothing will happen to you. I will assign my men to escort you back to where you started the protest from,” he said.