Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Barau Jibrin, has called on federal and state lawmakers to remain steadfast as the constitution amendment process reaches its decisive stage.

Speaking on Monday at a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Constitution Review with the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Abuja, Barau emphasized the need for unity and collaboration with state assemblies before the transmission of approved bills.

The meeting, held at Abuja Continental Hotel, brought together National Assembly members, state assembly speakers, and consultants involved in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution. Barau recalled the committee’s previous session in Lagos, where amendment bills were debated and members agreed to reconvene for further consultations.

He commended lawmakers for their “commitment and dedication” to what he described as one of the most important legislative assignments before the 10th National Assembly.

Barau clarified that the Abuja meeting was not intended for fresh debates, except where a substantive motion was raised to revisit an already concluded matter. Instead, members were expected to adopt previously agreed positions and receive updates from sub-committees working on specific areas, including state and local government creation.

Highlighting the importance of state assemblies, Barau described their Speakers as “critical and strategic partners” whose concurrence is required under Section 9 of the Constitution before any amendment can become law.

“This meeting offers the state assemblies the opportunity to be fully brought on board on issues already sieved through public hearings and nationwide consultations,” he said, adding that their observations and inputs are essential for preparing the committee’s final report to the plenary.

The Deputy Senate President urged all stakeholders to remain committed to ensuring that the amendment bills are transmitted to state assemblies before the end of the year, stressing:

“We are in the last lap of this assignment. Nigerians are looking up to us, and we must fulfil our purpose by ensuring that the constitution amendment bills get to the state houses of assembly this year.”

Barau concluded by thanking committee members, state speakers, and consultants for their efforts and wished them successful deliberations.