Senator Aniekan Bassey Chairs South-South Zonal Public Hearing On Constitution Amendment

Saturday July 05, 2025

Senator Aniekan Bassey of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District on Friday, July 4, 2025, represented the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Jibrin Barau, at the opening ceremony of the South-South Zonal Public Hearing on constitutional amendment bills.

The public hearing, held at Four Points by Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene, was declared open by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, with Governor Umo Eno, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, in attendance.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee emphasized that the 10th Senate constituted the Constitution Review Committee in response to growing public demands for a more inclusive and responsive constitutional framework.

“Our goal is to foster a broad national consensus, not just amplify the voices of a powerful minority that dominate media spaces. We have invited proposals and memoranda from Nigerians to shape amendments that reflect the ideals of freedom, equality, justice, and good governance,” he stressed.

He outlined key areas under review, including electoral and judicial reforms, local government administration, the role of traditional institutions, human rights protections, gender equality, security and policing, and the overall structure of the Nigerian federation.

Senator Bassey, speaking on behalf of the Chairman, urged stakeholders to approach the exercise with seriousness and responsibility, saying “Your participation is a civic duty and a contribution to shaping our democratic journey and national destiny.”

He further underscored that the review process is a collaborative effort between the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly.

The Committee Chairman also explained that “the zonal hearing is one of several nationwide consultations aimed at gathering public input into proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”