House of Reps Constitution Review Committee Hosts Consultation with 19 Political Parties in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria | October 7, 2025
In a bid to foster broad political consensus on key constitutional reforms, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review on Monday held a high-level consultation meeting with leaders of 19 registered political parties in Abuja.
The consultative forum, which took place under the framework of inclusive governance and democratic deepening, aimed to gather input and build inter-party agreement on critical areas of the ongoing constitutional amendment process. These include gender inclusion, local government autonomy, judicial and electoral reforms, and mechanisms for cost-effective elections.
The meeting, attended by party chairpersons and representatives, was convened to ensure that all stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic system—beyond the ruling and major opposition parties—have a voice in shaping the country’s constitutional future.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Committee, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, emphasized that constitutional reform cannot be the work of one political group or arm of government.
“What we are doing here is not just legislative duty—it is nation building. We want to ensure that the Constitution reflects the will and aspirations of all Nigerians,” he said.
One of the key proposals that generated significant discussion was the recommendation by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to strip the Executive of the power to appoint the Chairman and National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). IPAC argued that the current arrangement undermines the independence of the electoral body and fosters mistrust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
According to IPAC’s National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani,
“We believe the appointment of INEC leadership should be handled by a non-partisan, independent body or through a process involving multiple stakeholders to guarantee credibility and impartiality.”
The political party leaders also supported amendments to strengthen the autonomy of local governments, ensure judicial independence, and entrench affirmative action for women and marginalized groups in political representation.
Discussions also centered on proposals to curb the rising cost of elections in Nigeria, including the regulation of campaign financing, limiting electoral litigation timelines, and restructuring the electoral calendar.
The House Committee assured the parties that their recommendations would be seriously considered in the drafting of the amendment bills, and pledged to sustain dialogue with all critical stakeholders as the process advances.
The meeting marks a significant step in Nigeria’s democratic development, as lawmakers and political actors work toward a more inclusive, accountable, and transparent constitutional framework. Further consultations with civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and the Nigerian public are expected in the coming weeks.
