News
Tinubu Urges Nigerians to Embrace Constitutional Review as Path to Stronger Democracy
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bola-Tinubu.jpg&description=Tinubu Urges Nigerians to Embrace Constitutional Review as Path to Stronger Democracy', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bola-Tinubu.jpg&description=Tinubu Urges Nigerians to Embrace Constitutional Review as Path to Stronger Democracy', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
…as Abbas vow swift consideration, prompt transmission to State Assemblies for adoption
…constitution review must reflect will if the people – Kalu
By Gloria Ikibah
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to far-reaching constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening national institutions, promoting justice, and safeguarding fundamental rights.
The President also appealed to Nigerians to take active part in the ongoing constitutional review process, describing it as a historic opportunity to entrench good governance, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
President Tinubu who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the National Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in Abuja on Monday, described the review exercise as a “golden opportunity” to deepen democracy and advance nation-building.
He commended the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, for establishing an inclusive platform that engages citizens, civil society, political parties, professional bodies, and traditional institutions in shaping the nation’s supreme law.
“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It is not static, but a living document that must continually respond to the realities, aspirations, and challenges of our people.
“I urge all participants to approach this exercise with a spirit of patriotism, responsibility, and constructive dialogue. The quality of ideas generated here will go a long way in shaping the laws and institutions that will serve generations yet unborn,” Tinubu stated.
The President stressed that the ongoing reforms align with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, was designed to deliver good governance, social justice, and economic transformation across the country.
He assured Nigerians that his government would back every effort that strengthens participatory democracy and enhances national unity.
“I wish the Committee and all stakeholders fruitful deliberations, and I assure you that the outcome of this process will receive the deserved attention as part of our collective quest to build a stronger, more united, and prosperous Nigeria,” he added.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, declaring the hearing open, described the exercise as “a significant moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey”, emphasising that the constitution must ultimately reflect the will of the people.
He further pledged that the process would not be weighed down by delays, promising that amendments would be swiftly considered by the National Assembly and promptly transmitted to State Assemblies for adoption.
He said: “Reform delayed is reform denied, and Nigerians deserve clarity and closure.
“We intend to vote on the proposals expeditiously and give the States enough time to deliberate and endorse the people’s will”.
The Speaker highlighted several transformative amendments under consideration:
Reserved seats for women in the National and State Assemblies, aimed at accelerating gender inclusion and addressing Nigeria’s dismal five percent female representation in parliament.
Guaranteed representation for persons with disabilities, alongside gender quotas in ministerial appointments.
Formal advisory roles for traditional rulers in peacebuilding and community security.
He argued that such reforms would make Nigeria’s democracy more representative, responsive, and just.
Speaker Abbas further noted that many proposals align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, providing the “legal chassis” for reforms in security, economic revitalisation, inclusivity, and transparent governance.
Deputy Speaker, Rep Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the Constitution Review Committee, highlighted the extensive consultations that shaped the ongoing amendment process.
He revealed that the committee had collated 87 amendment bills drawn from nationwide public hearings, memoranda, and regional engagements.
Among the most significant proposals are electoral reforms, including provision for independent candidacy, the creation of an Electoral Offences Commission, and strict timelines for resolving pre-election disputes.
Another landmark proposal is the devolution of powers, with a bill seeking to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, effectively opening the door to state and community policing.
Local government autonomy also features prominently, with measures designed to guarantee financial and administrative independence for grassroots governance.
Kalu stressed that these were not impositions by lawmakers but rather “the thought-out demands and memoranda of the Nigerian people themselves.”
“The ultimate authority for this process resides with you, the sovereign people of Nigeria,” he said. “Constitutional reform is a marathon, not a sprint. Your continued engagement is crucial to see this through.”
The Leadership of the 10th House assured citizens that the amendment exercise would remain transparent, inclusive, and free from political interference, and vowed that a harmonised draft of the proposals would be published ahead of voting in plenary.
Leaders of the National Assembly have urged Nigerians to stay actively involved in the constitution review process by engaging their representatives at both federal and state levels, warning against complacency that could see hard-fought reforms diluted or abandoned.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas appealed to a broad range of stakeholders, from civil society organisations and labour unions to traditional rulers, youth groups, women, and the media — to put forward clear and practical proposals at the hearings.
“By improving our constitution, we write a new chapter in our national story. Let it be remembered that we chose courage over caution, unity over discord, and posterity over short-term politics,” Abbas declared.
The hearing represents the final round of public consultations before the National Assembly begins formal voting on 87 proposed amendments.
If these amendments secure passage and be ratified by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly, Nigeria could be on the brink of its most far-reaching constitutional reform since 1999, one that promises to reshape governance, strengthen security, broaden inclusivity, and entrench democratic accountability for future generations.
A witness in the trial of former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on the alleged wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has admitted that El-Rufai confirmed the wiretapping remarks during a television interview.
The Department of security service (DSS) witness, Barrister Deji Adeyanju told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday that he appeared for an interview program on Arise Television Station on February 16, the same day El-Rufai made the confession on the same television.
Adeyanju, the second prosecution witness in the trial, told the Court that the former governor admitted during the television interview that “we listened to the conversations of the NSA.”
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, Adeyanju confirmed that he knew El-Rufai as a former governor of Kaduna State and recalled issuing a public statement after reports emerged that the former governor was to be arrested by security operatives.
The prosecution tendered the subpoena used to summon Adeyanju, which was admitted and marked as Exhibit G.
The court also viewed the Arise Television interview involving El-Rufai, after which Adeyanju confirmed the recording and the statements allegedly made during the programme.
The prosecution subsequently tendered Adeyanju’s own interview contained in a flash drive alongside a certificate of compliance. Both were admitted in evidence as Exhibits H and H1.
While giving evidence, Adeyanju told the court that he was later invited by the Department of State Services, DSS, where he was asked to recount what transpired at the television studio.
According to him, he confirmed to investigators that he was present when El-Rufai made the statements on air and that when further questioned during the interview, the former governor stated that someone carried out the phone tapping and passed the information to him.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Paul Erokoro, Adeyanju stated that while he did not hear El-Rufai specifically say he hacked the phone lines of the National Security Adviser, NSA, he heard him say, “we listened to the conversations of the NSA.”
When asked whether he knew the means through which the NSA makes calls, and if he would be surprised to learn that DSS investigators did not ask the NSA which of his devices was allegedly compromised, he replied that those were not his business.
Meanwhile, the prosecution tendered an official gazette without objection from the defence. The document was admitted and marked as Exhibit I.
The matter was adjourned until June 23 for continuation of trial.
The DSS had filed a charge against El-Rufai over his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
In the three-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 was filed early before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the secret police accused the former governor of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, (2024), and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.)
Counts in the charge read:
*That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.
*That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13t February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did state during the interview that you know and relate with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individual to relevant Security agencies and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.
*That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, and other still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with others still at large did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to which you admitted during an interview on 13th February, 2026, on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, was at the Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, today in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal diversion of about ₦1.3 trillion.
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, was not available for comments on the issue, but a source within the commission who did not want to be named told Channels Television that the former governor is being investigated for alleged diversion of 13 per cent derivation funds accrued to Delta State from the Federation Account between 2015 and 2023.
The former governor was previously arrested on November 4, 2024, and questioned by operatives of the EFCC at its Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate over the allegations.
He reportedly showed up at the Lagos office today, in a bid to secure the release of his passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.
As of the time of this report, it was unclear whether his request was granted by the anti-graft agency.
As the Malawian government moves to evacuate its citizens from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks, Nigerians caught in the unrest have expressed frustration over what they describe as a lack of support from their home country.
Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Gauteng, South Africa, Ikye Okwuakwu, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and assist Nigerians affected by the crisis.
Speaking amid reports that thousands of foreign nationals have been displaced and are currently sheltering in temporary camps, Okwuakwu questioned Nigeria’s response to the situation.
“Malawi is taking its people home. What is Nigeria doing for its own citizens?” he asked.
He urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to protect and support Nigerians stranded in South Africa, warning that many are facing uncertainty and hardship as tensions persist in affected communities.
The appeal comes as concerns continue to grow over the welfare and safety of foreign nationals impacted by the wave of xenophobic violence in parts of South Africa.
Seven PMs In 10 Years: Britain’s Decade Of ‘Change’
DR Congo Ebola outbreak tops 1,000 cases, kills 254
Nigerian Navy hands over 5 suspected stowaways to Immigration Service
-
News22 hours agoJust in: Finally, Starmer resigns as UK PM
-
News20 hours agoCourt sends Sowore to Kuje Prison
-
News23 hours agoSad: Two soldiers k!lled as military van runs into explosive device in Sokoto
-
News24 hours agoDAY 9 of Projects Commissioning in the FCT
-
News22 hours agoTrafficked Nigerian Girl D!es In Mali
-
News20 hours agoEx-Justice Minister to relax in jail for 25 Years
-
News20 hours agoNigeria Needs Policy and Legislative Resilience to Turn Reforms into Results, Says Hajiya Fatima Usman-Katsina
-
News16 hours ago
DAY 9 of Projects Commissioning in the FCT: Watch moment Wike arrives Karu(Video)