Senate President Godswill Akpabio has emphasized the importance of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, describing it as a pivotal effort toward building a more just, stable, and united Nigeria.
Speaking on Friday in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, at the opening of the South-South Zonal Public Hearing on the Constitution Review, Akpabio called the exercise a “democratic rite” that reflects the Senate’s commitment to inclusive governance and national development.
The public hearing was one of several held simultaneously across five geopolitical zones and is designed to gather citizens’ perspectives on proposed constitutional amendments.
In a statement released by his media aide, Anietie Ekong, Akpabio said the event goes beyond mere legislative formality and provides a platform for Nigerians to actively shape the nation’s future.
“Today’s event is not merely a formality,” the Senate President declared. “It is a democratic rite, a solemn moment in which the people, not politicians alone, speak into the soul of the nation. It is an affirmation that in a democracy, every voice counts.”
He reiterated that democracy is a dynamic and evolving process, noting that no constitution is perfect or immutable. “Let us not forget that democracy is a work in progress. No constitution is eternal in its original form, and no democracy is perfect because man himself is not perfect,” he stated.
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According to Akpabio, the constitutional review is not an indictment of past frameworks, but a forward-looking commitment to realign the nation’s legal and institutional foundations with contemporary realities and aspirations.
“The review of our constitution is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. It is not a complaint against the past, but a commitment to the future. We amend not to abandon, but to realign, to adapt our national charter to the changing realities, dreams, and demands of the good people of Nigeria.”
He added that the process affirms the Senate’s belief that meaningful change emerges through open dialogue and honest engagement. “This public hearing is a testament to the Senate’s unwavering belief that truth emerges not from silence, but from dialogue; not from monologue, but from the aggregation of honest opinions. That is why we are here not as party men, but as patriots. Not as political actors, but as nation-builders.”
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin acknowledged the shortcomings of past constitutional amendment efforts, noting that key reforms such as state policing, devolution of powers, and formal recognition of traditional institutions failed due to lack of sufficient backing from state legislatures.
He expressed optimism that the current round of constitutional review will bridge those gaps and lay the groundwork for a stronger, more inclusive federation.
The constitutional review exercise marks another step in Nigeria’s long-running effort to refine the 1999 Constitution, which many critics argue does not adequately reflect the country’s federal structure or address deep-seated governance issues.
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