A number of proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution (as modified) that have been rejected by previous parliaments, state assemblies, or presidents will be reexamined by the House of Representatives.

While speaking on Saturday during a combined retreat for the secretariats and consultants to the Senate and House Committees on the review of the Constitution, Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House, revealed this.

In order for the experts to collaborate on the current constitution revision process, he urged for synergy.

The Fifth Alteration Bill (24), which sought to amend the Second Schedule to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 Constitution to give the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly the authority to call the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was one of the 19 bills approved by the parliament that former President Muhammadu Buhari rejected in 2023.

In a statement on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, the Deputy Speaker said, “This retreat will provide a platform for the secretariat and experts to review previous amendment proposals, especially those that were popular among Nigeria but were either not passed by the national/state Assemblies or were not assented to by the President.

“It would also consider how those issues can be re-introduced with a view to providing methods of processing them or an action plan that will ensure that reservations that led to their rejection are addressed.

“The essence of this retreat is to build synergy among the consultants and the secretariats of the Senate and House Committees on Constitution Review to set the pace for effective collaboration that will drive the task before us towards such outcomes that would meet and satisfy the desires and yearning of Nigerians, especially at a time like this.”

In order to enable the legislature to draft a constitution that will handle divisive topics like state police and special seats for women, among other things, he reminded the consultants that amending the constitution is an ongoing process that requires the participation of all Nigerians.

He said, “As experts in your various fields of endeavour, I trust your judgments and I trust that the outcome of this exercise will move Nigeria forward.’’

“The constitution amendment exercise, which is coming at a time when there appear to be agitations in the country, is expected to create a veritable platform for national engagement and conversations where relevant stakeholders and members of the public may make recommendations on the review process with the view to enacting laws that reflect the evolving moral, economic and political values of the Nigerian people.”

After holding its first retreat, the Kalu-led committee is currently taking memos from Nigerians on important areas of governance, such as local government autonomy, state police, restructuring, mayoral status for the Federal Capital Territory, and rotating presidency, among other things.