By Frank Momoh
The much-awaited zonal public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution would hold from May 26 to 27.
The event which would simultaneously hold across 12 state capitals across the country would witness two public hearings per geopolitical zone.
Mr. Yomi Odunuga, Spokesperson to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, in a statement made available to the media, said a national public hearing is expected to hold in Abuja.
The Senate Committee, Chairman on Constitution Review and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege disclosed, he added.
Speaking while hosting members of the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEPAD) in his office, led by its National Coordinator, Chino Obiagwu (SAN), Senator Omo-Agege called on those who have already submitted memoranda to speak to the documents at the events.
Omo-Agege, pointed out that while Jos and Minna would host the public hearings in the North Central Geopolitical Zone, that of North East and North West would hold in Bauchi and Gombe as well as Kaduna and Sokoto respectively.
According to him, that of South-east would hold in Owerri and Enugu, even as South-South and South West would be hosted in Port Harcourt and Asaba as well as Akure and Lagos respectively.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, he assured that women’s interests in the new Constitution Review would be protected.
On the inclusion of Affirmative Action in the constitution, he called on the group to reach out to elected representatives and groups from other geopolitical zones in the country, noting that they were key in determining if such demands could scale through in the ongoing constitution amendment exercise.
“You will have also observed that on each of the Constitution Review that has been done in the past, Affirmative Action and increased women representation have always been on the agenda. But in the past, we have not been able to muster the numbers required to effect constitutional change.
“However, in every exercise, we have seen increasing numbers of legislators’ support the process. So, the challenge is how to reach the critical threshold during this process.
“Your work is quite cut out for you. But rest assured that we are partners in this business,” he said.
Earlier, the National Coordinator, Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEPAD), Chino Obiagwu (SAN), called for increased women participation in politics.
According to him, the group has already submitted six proposals to the panel, explaining that if passed, women would occupy their rightful place in both elective and appointive positions in the country.
“We solicit your support and leverage on your influence in advocating for constitutional amendment and other legal reforms geared towards increasing women’s political participation in Nigeria,” he said.