The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has announced that zonal public hearings will be held in 12 states across Nigeria from July 11 to July 20, 2025.

Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Committee, Benjamin Kalu, disclosed this during a meeting with consultants and Secretariat staff. He explained that the public hearings would take place in two phases?northern states from July 11 to 13, and southern states from July 18 to 20.

The purpose of the zonal hearings, Kalu said, is to gather citizens? input on proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

The hosting cities are Minna, Niger state, Lafia, Nasarawa state, Kaduna, Sokoto, Gombe, Maiduguri, Yenagoa, Calabar, Enugu, Owerri, Lagos and Akure, the Ondo state capital

Kalu said that through the public hearings, the committee aims to ensure that the voices of all Nigerians are heard and their concerns addressed in the constitutional review process.

He said: ?We have the northern geopolitical zones that will last between Friday, 11th of July to Sunday, 13th of July. And in this northern geopolitical zone, we are looking at north central, north west and north east.

?For the north central, we have center A which is going to be Minna center for Niger Kwara and Kogi. So, Kogi, Kwara and Niger will be using Mina as their center. Then center B, we have Lafia Center for Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue States, and the FCT.

?We have the North West, we have Kaduna as a center for Kaduna, Kano Jigawa and Kasina States. And then we have center B for North West. Center B for North West is Sokoto. Sokoto will serve as a center for Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi.

?For North East, we have Gombe as a center for Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba state. Center B, Maiduguri is the Center for Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state.

?The southern geopolitical zones will commence from Friday, 18th, July to 20th July. And we have south south, south east and south west. Under the south south, we have Yenegua as the Center for Bayelsa, Edo and Delta States.

?Then, we have Calabar as a center for Cross River State, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

?For the south east, Enugu is the Center for Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states. And then, the center B is Owerri center for Imo and Abia States.

?For the South West, we have Lagos as the center for Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States. The center B for the South West is Akure. It?s a center for Ondo Osun and Ekiti States?.

Kalu further stated that the committee is prioritizing amendment bills on gender bills and inclusive governance, security and police reforms, fiscal reforms, judicial reforms and devolution of powers.

?The current constitutional review process is perhaps the most comprehensive in our nation?s history, addressing fundamental issues that touch on governance, security, fiscal federalism, and inclusive representation. We are currently considering prioritized constitutional amendments, grouped into thematic areas that reflect the aspirations and concerns of the Nigerian people ?, he said. (Nation)

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