Barau Assures Nigerians Constitution Review Will Be Guided by Public Input

Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Barau Jibrin, has stated that the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution will be guided strictly by the will of the Nigerian people. Speaking at the North-West Zonal Public Hearing held in Kano, Barau emphasized that the Senate has no hidden agenda and will not impose any decision on the populace. He said the Constitution review process is designed to be inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the needs of citizens across all regions. According to him, the Senate is committed to upholding national interest and democracy by ensuring that proposed amendments emerge from broad-based public input. “This is a people-driven exercise. The Senate is not here to dictate outcomes but to listen and reflect the true aspirations of Nigerians. We will not force any proposal into the Constitution without public support,” Barau stated. The zonal hearing, one of six held simultaneously across the country, brought together stakeholders from various sectors including traditional rulers, civil society groups, youth and women’s organisations, religious bodies, and political representatives. The sessions were organised to enable Nigerians at the grassroots to express their views on the areas of the Constitution they want amended. Barau highlighted key issues raised in previous reform efforts, including state police, local government autonomy, judicial reforms, fiscal federalism, and inclusive governance. He noted that previous constitutional reviews often fell short due to lack of consensus and state-level endorsement, adding that this time, the Senate is focused on building national agreement around critical issues. He assured participants that all contributions will be documented and carefully considered by the committee before a final report is submitted to the Senate for debate. “Our duty is to reflect your voices, not our preferences,” he said. The ongoing review process is a major legislative priority of the 10th National Assembly and will proceed through multiple stages including technical assessments, legislative debate, and eventual ratification by the National and State Houses of Assembly