The Senate has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing review of Nigeria’s Constitution before the 10th National Assembly ends its tenure in June 2027.
The assurance comes against concerns that the approaching general elections could slow down legislative work and ultimately cause the latest constitutional amendment effort to collapse like some previous exercises.
With political parties and prospective candidates already stepping up preparations for the 2027 polls, questions have emerged over whether lawmakers will have enough time to consider the proposed amendments and secure the necessary approvals.
However, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, said there was no reason to assume the process would be abandoned.
According to him, the constitutional proposals initiated by the current Assembly would be considered and passed before the expiration of its tenure.
Adaramodu also pointed out that the 10th National Assembly would remain in office for several months after the January 2027 elections.
He said the recently enacted Electoral Act had already provided the necessary framework for the conduct of the elections, meaning the polls would not bring legislative activities to an immediate halt.
“The proposed constitution amendments, already started by the 10th National Assembly, shall be passed in the life of this current Assembly.”
He added that January 2027 should not be regarded as the deadline for the lawmakers, stressing that the tenure of the current Assembly runs until June 2027.
The proposed constitutional changes represent a major legislative assignment for the 10th National Assembly, with issues relating to governance, political arrangements and other aspects of Nigeria’s constitutional system expected to feature in the review.
Unlike ordinary legislation, constitutional amendments require a more extensive approval process.
Beyond securing the required votes at the National Assembly, proposed amendments must also receive the backing of at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly before they can become law.
This requirement has historically made constitutional reviews difficult to conclude, with some previous efforts failing to achieve the level of support required across the country.
The financial resources committed to past exercises have also fuelled concerns over the consequences of another unsuccessful attempt.
The Senate’s latest position is consistent with an earlier assurance from Senate President Godswill Akpabio that the 2027 political season would not prevent lawmakers from carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
Akpabio maintained that senators and members of the House of Representatives could combine their political activities with their legislative duties.
He made the comment while speaking to journalists at the Presidential Wing of the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo.
His Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, subsequently issued a statement on the Senate President’s position.
Akpabio’s comments came as political consultations and preparations for the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum among parties and aspirants.
Although the Senate leadership has expressed confidence that the process will be completed, the timeline remains tight.
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The proposed amendments must pass through the National Assembly and subsequently secure the required support from state lawmakers.
The ability of the 10th National Assembly to meet its June 2027 target will therefore depend on how quickly the proposals move through the legislative process and the level of cooperation received from the state Houses of Assembly.
For now, the Senate insists that election preparations will not prevent it from pursuing the constitutional review to completion.