Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has stressed the need to have a Nigerian Constitution that work for all segments of the society.

Speaking at a retreat of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Kalu who is Chairman of the committee said Nigerians want a Constitution that empowers local governments to deliver services, streamlines electoral justice, strengthens fiscal federalism, guarantees women?s full participation in governance, and enhances accountability at all levels.

He said: ?The work we do here in Enugu over the next few days will define the trajectory of Nigeria?s democracy for the next generation. Will we be remembered as the Assembly that empowered local governments, thereby bringing governance closer to the people? Will we be remembered as the Assembly that shattered the glass ceiling and guaranteed women?s full participation in public life? Will we be remembered as the Assembly that restored public confidence in our electoral system?

?These are not rhetorical questions. They are moral and political imperatives that demand our immediate and decisive action. Therefore, as we commence our deliberations, I urge us all to be guided by three principles?.

He maintained that in discharging its responsibilities, the Committee must have a unity of purpose; legislative discipline and national interest as guiding principles, saying ?We represent different constituencies, different parties, and different ideologies.

?But on the issue of constitutional reform, we must speak with one voice. The amendments we propose must command broad, bipartisan support if they are to succeed. Let us focus on what unites us, not what divides us.

?Every decision we make here must be guided by one question: What is best for Nigeria? Not what is best for our party, our region, or our personal ambitions, but what is best for the over 200 million Nigerians we were elected to serve.

?The Constitution we are reviewing is the social contract that binds us together as a people. It is the promise we make to each other about the kind of country we want to build.

?Let the work we do here in Enugu reflect our commitment to that promise. Let us leave Enugu with a clear, actionable roadmap for constitutional reform: one that empowers local governments, guarantees women?s representation, strengthens electoral integrity, and deepens our federal democracy.?

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, emphasised the need to have a diligent Judicial, police and other reforms that will attend to the needs of the Nigerian people for speedy justice delivery.

Represented by the Deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, the governor said if implemented, reforms intended in the proposed amendments and new bills in the ongoing exercise, will go along way in addressing the socio-political, security as well as economic challenges affecting the country.

He said, ?When you want to complain that we?ve not had access to public and political appointments at the federal level, we begin to read out all sorts of data about fairer character. How people get disadvantaged, how certain ministries go to certain parts of the country and not fairly distributed.

?But, have you also tried to interrogate, why is it that those of us who complain about federal character from the perspective of political appointment and access to political jobs, we don?t see them as you look at fairer character from the perspective of national budget?

?Those of us who are politicians seek opportunities at the centre, we are not getting it. We begin to raise all hell about fairer character. But, we don?t do the real work of seeing how the national distribution of free infrastructure cuts across dialectical and enforcing policies.?

Gov. Mbah said the Committee also needs to do more in the areas of judicial and police reforms to address the various problems affecting the Judiciary and the Police as regards justice delivery and fighting crimes. (The Nation)

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