The Abia Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, has endorsed Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu’s constitution review efforts, highlighting the need for reforms like state police and local government autonomy.
In a push for comprehensive constitutional reforms, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, has expressed strong support for the ongoing constitution review consultations championed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
Rt. Hon. Emeruwa made this commitment during a courtesy visit by Hon. Dr. Mike Ukoha, the Special Assistant to the Deputy Speaker on State Legislative Affairs, at his official residence.
The Abia Speaker underscored the urgency of addressing critical societal issues through constitutional amendments, particularly advocating for the establishment of state police to improve local security and enhance governance at the grassroots level. He, however, cautioned against potential misuse by states and emphasized the importance of implementing the system with clear safeguards to ensure accountability.
The Abia Speaker commended the Deputy Speaker for his dedication to inclusive governance, especially through his outreach to Speakers of State Houses of Assembly. He described the initiative as a necessary step toward strengthening collaboration between the National Assembly and the state legislatures, fostering a more unified approach to constitutional matters.
Hon. Dr. Mike Ukoha, representing the Deputy Speaker, has been engaging extensively with Speakers across the Southeast geopolitical zone to galvanize their input into the constitutional amendment process. The visit to Abia State followed similar engagements in other Southeast states, where Ukoha solicited the cooperation of state lawmakers as critical stakeholders in the review process.
Speaking during the visit, Ukoha noted that Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, in his capacity as Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, is committed to ensuring that the voices of all regions and legislative levels are represented in shaping a more equitable constitution.
“The consultation aims to address major issues like local government autonomy, the creation of special seats for women in Parliament, electoral reforms, and state police,” Ukoha explained. “We believe these amendments will address lingering structural challenges and promote inclusivity in governance.”
Ukoha’s tour of Southeast states has been pivotal in creating awareness and building consensus among state lawmakers, ensuring that the legislative arm plays an active role in determining the outcome of the amendments.
The Abia Speaker reiterated the importance of local government autonomy, stressing its potential to enhance development at the grassroots level. He also welcomed the inclusion of special seats for women in Parliament, which he described as a progressive move toward gender equity in politics.
The ongoing consultations, set to cover all regions of the country, aim to build a framework that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians while addressing the complexities of governance.
As the constitutional review process gathers momentum, the collaboration between the National Assembly and State Assemblies remains key to its success. With leaders like Benjamin Kalu spearheading these efforts and aides like Dr. Mike Ukoha facilitating strategic dialogues, the process promises to be one of the most inclusive in recent history.
