Gidan Yanci Urges Nigerians to Engage in Constitution Review
By Mustapha Salisu
In its efforts to promote active citizen participation in governance, the Gidan Yanci Fellowship, comprising 15 Kano-based fellows committed to advancing political engagement and good governance, is calling on civil society organizations (CSOs) and all Nigerians to actively engage in the ongoing national discourse on constitutional reform.
Following the establishment of the Constitution Review Committee by the Nigerian National Assembly in February 2024, marking the sixth attempt to review the 1999 Constitution, the Gidan Yanci Fellowship recognizes the key opportunity this presents to address critical issues and reinforce the nation’s democratic structures.
The Committee has outlined various thematic areas for potential amendments, including security architecture and the Nigerian Police, fiscal federalism and revenue allocation, judicial and electoral reforms, gender issues, and state creation.
In a statement released, the Fellowship emphasized the importance of a citizen-driven approach for a successful review process.
They called upon all Nigerians, particularly CSOs, to submit well-researched memoranda outlining proposed amendments within these thematic areas or any other pertinent governance issue.
The Fellowship outlined steps for citizen engagement, encouraging individuals to meticulously develop their memoranda, ensuring alignment with the identified thematic areas or addressing pressing governance concerns.
These submissions can be made electronically or physically to the National Assembly. Additionally, citizens are urged to mobilize their communities, rallying fellow citizens, family, and friends to actively participate in the review process.
The Gidan Yanci Fellowship emphasizes the significance of a people-powered review process in facilitating a more just, equitable, and secure Nigeria.
They implore all Nigerians to seize this historic opportunity, affirming that collective action can shape the nation’s future for the better.
