2027 Politicking: Concerns Over Fate Of Constitution Amendment Bills

2027 Politicking: Concerns Over Fate Of Constitution Amendment Bills

The civil society has asked federal lawmakers to prioritise the constitution amendment process and not be distracted by the upswing of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Key stakeholders in the constitution reform process said the December 2025 deadline set by the lawmakers can be met if they act as statesmen and look beyond the politicking ahead of the 2027 election.

The House of Representatives is optimistic that the legislature will meet the December deadline for the completion of work on the review of the 1999 Constitution despite the surge in activities for the 2027 general election.

However, our checks reveal that in the light of political realignments, most elected officeholders, especially lawmakers, are already locked in on re-election mode.

While the opposition coalition gathers momentum, there have been series of defections in both chambers of the National Assembly lawmakers, reflecting a heightened political shift in the legislative chambers.

Deputy speaker and chairman of the House Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu had, at the pre-inaugural meeting of the panel early last year, said the December 2025 deadline was to avoid conflict with electoral activities ahead of the 2027 general election which could affect the constitution alteration process.

“It is also the view of Mr. Speaker that we set a realistic timeline that does not conflict with electoral activities which would advertently or inadvertently affect the alteration process, specifically December, 2025, the time we are looking at to conclude the activities of this committee,” Kalu had said.

The Constitution Review Committee has held several retreats and meetings with critical stakeholders in a bid to meet the deadline. However, zonal hearings slated for January is still pending.

At the last count, the committee received 250 constitutional amendment bills and over 300 proposals from Nigerians for consideration in the course amending the nation’s constitution.

Speaking at a recent retreat, Kalu said: “My office has been told that there are about 250 constitutional amendment bills that will pass through the House for this committee. This bill reflects our

collective commitment to refining governance in Nigeria.”

Last week, the House passed 12 constitution alteration bills through second reading, though two were rescinded, leaving the number at 110.

The bills rescinded were those to qualify the immunity conferred on the president, remove the one for the vice president, the governors and their deputies; and a review of the death penalty law to ensure penalties for certain capital offences align with relevant international best practices.

Some of the major bills which had been read for the second time and referred to the Constitution Review Committee include those for the establishment of state and local government police; same day/simultaneous general elections into the office of President, State Governors, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Area Councils, and compulsory resignation of national and state executive members of political parties seeking elective government positions.

Others are bills to establish the National Local Government Electoral Commission to conduct elections into the offices of chairmen and councilors of all the local governments, including the area councils of the Federal Capital Territory; special legislature seats for the physically challenged, and a House of Assembly for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Also in this category are bills to: create additional states and local government areas; decentralise the governance of natural resources to transfer mines and minerals, including oil fields, oil mining,  geological surveys and natural gas from the exclusive legislative list

to the concurrent legislative list; return to a parliamentary system of government, change the system of the simple majority of electing the president and the state governors where there are more than two candidates to ensure the winner scores more than half of the total votes cast; and make first degree mandatory qualification for the offices of president and governor, as well as a 60-year age limit for those seeking election into these positions.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP, the executive director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, said the constitution would be ready for presidential assent in December, but he admitted that a lot of technical work needs to be done, starting with public hearings in May this year.

Nwankwo, whose PLAC is a consultant to the Constitution Review Committee, explained that: “There is a lot of ongoing work at the technical level. A national public hearing will happen in May, with voting at NASS (National Assembly) likely to happen in June/July and approved bills transmitted to State Houses of Assembly soon after. December 2025 is the latest date that presidential assent is expected.”

The director, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), Dr Dauda Garuba, corroborated Nwankwo’s position that  the deadline was realizable, saying  all that was needed for the legislature was to make it a priority.

He said, “Most of the amendments being sought are essential, while others are a nullity. For instance, the 60-year age limit is a nullity,” he said.

Similarly, the executive director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, believes that the National Assembly could meet the December deadline for the Constitution amendment.

He said nothing stops both the legislature and the executive from completing the review, unless they are trying to benefit politically from the amendments in the 2027 election.

“I strongly believe that the National Assembly can meet the deadline even earlier than December. As a country, we need the electoral bill and election-related constitutional amendment bill concluded by June to enable adequate time to prepare for 2027, given the nature of the proposals.

“Some amendments will significantly affect the electoral calendar, hence the need to urgently conclude the process. If the National Assembly and the president act as statesmen and women, they can conclude these amendments by June. Nothing stops them, except they are exploring ways the amendments can guarantee their victory in 2027,” he stated.

Amid the growing concerns over the sacrosanctity of the December 2025 deadline when the 2027 politics would have taken full swing, House Deputy Spokesperson Hon. Philip Agbese (APC, Benue) expressed confidence that legislators will keep to date.

Agbese, who is spokesperson of the House Committee on Constitution Review told LEADERSHIP that the panel would meet the December deadline despite the intense political activities that had already kicked off.

He said: “Our Committee, ably led by Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has been doing outstanding work in addressing all the amendment questions that have been raised, and we’re committed to considering all proposed amendments.

“We’re also working within the legal framework to ensure a seamless review process, and I’m optimistic that we’ll make good on our  commitments to Nigerians. We’re focused on delivering a comprehensive and inclusive constitution review that reflects the aspirations of our citizens.”

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