The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who chairs the Senate committee reviewing the 1999 Constitution, has announced that the final draft of the ongoing constitutional amendment will be forwarded to the State Houses of Assembly for ratification before the end of the year.

Speaking through the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, at the conclusion of a two-day southwest zonal public hearing in Lagos on Saturday, Barawu said the region’s dominant concerns; state creation, state policing, local government autonomy, judicial reform, electoral adjustments, and women’s special seats were all strongly echoed during the discussions.

Barawu emphasized that the public hearing was not merely a formality but a “constitutional requirement to ensure that the people have a say in the preparation of a document that governs them.”

He stressed that the review should be taken seriously, as it aims to “redefine good governance and strengthen the country’s democracy.”

He highlighted previous successes achieved under similar amendments, noting that “some issues which were hitherto in exclusive list were taken to concurrent list for the state government to oversee.”

He further pointed out that “electoral reforms … have begun to make Nigerians’ votes count.”

Barawu explained the process: “The essence of what we have done within these two days is to give Nigerians the chance to participate so that their elected representatives will not sit in Abuja and begin to tamper with the constitution.”

He added, “Our founding fathers … made it so difficult for anyone to just wake up and begin to tamper with the constitution, that’s why we are going through all these processes.”

He continued, “Even after the National Assembly would have done its job, we still need the support of 2/3 of the State House of Assembly before it could become an amendment.”

Barawu reaffirmed that real change would come: “We have heard Nigerians very loud and clear, and we are going to Abuja to file our report and conclude this process.”

He pledged, “Before the end of the year, a final notification as a proposal will be sent to the State House of Assembly so that we can round up the process without further delay.”

He urged stakeholders to “carry along the elected representatives so as to be on the same page and not be working at cross purposes.”

He also praised the state lawmakers for aligning with the National Assembly’s vision and encouraged them to exercise due diligence during ratification.

At the hearing, the Southwest Speakers’ Conference affirmed its support for the region’s demands.

Ogun State Speaker Daisi Elemide remarked, “We stand by autonomy for the Legislature… and we stand in support of the state police… we also stand in support of the state police, too.”

He added that traditional rulers’ constitutional roles and reserved seats for women embodied in the “He for She” initiative would also be advocated.

Representing labor interests, Nigeria Labour Congress (Lagos State) Chairperson Agness Funmi Sesse warned, “The removal of Labour provision from the exclusive to the concurrent will allow many state governments … we can then begin to imagine if the labour provisions are now made part of the concurrent list.” She vowed that “Nigeria workers … are prepared to resist this internal colonialism with the last drop of our blood.”

On legal reform, NBA representative Dr. Babatunde Olatunji, SAN, argued that judicial appointments need clearer rules.

He insisted that current provisions allowing a lawyer admitted for 10 years to become a judge are “too weak and subject to manipulation” and cautioned that “if the process for the appointment of judicial officers is not right, the Judiciary will also not be able to perform up to expectations.”

Other proposals included the creation of new states; Oke Ogun State (with Agunrege as capital) and “New Oyo State” (with Ogbomosho as capital) presented by professionals and stakeholders from youth and women’s groups.

The Presidency has urged leaders of the newly formed coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to “forget about the coming election in 2027 and focus on the 2031 polls.”

Presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, dismissed the coalition featuring political heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex‑Senate President David Mark, Peter Obi, and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai as a “purely opportunistic gathering of disgruntled politicians.”

He argued: “The Presidency already rests with the region rightfully due. And that’s where it will be till 2031.”

Dare further accused the group of “political harlotry,” claiming their stated goal of “redressing injustice in the system” was false.

He added: “There is no injustice to redress—only avarice ambition to satisfy the cravings of a few for the control of the National treasury.”

Comparing the coalition to the APC’s 2015 merger, Dare said: “In 2013, the merger that birthed the APC was driven by selflessness, national interest, and strategic discipline.

The leaders at the time were willing to set aside personal ambitions for the greater good.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite commanding the loyalty of several sitting governors, chose to wait.

He bided his time, played the long game, and focused on building a viable political platform.”

He dismissed the ADC’s platform as lacking cohesion and credibility, asserting: “Today, no one in this coalition commands that kind of loyalty or trust. Not one of them could genuinely unite a ward, let alone a country. No one comes close to parading the democratic credentials of President Bola Tinubu.”

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has made it clear that its 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, no longer has access to the party’s platform to contest in the 2027 general election.

In a statement released on Saturday, NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, dismissed recent claims by Elder Buba Galadima suggesting that Kwankwaso would remain with the NNPP and run for president under its banner.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported Galadima’s remarks, where he asserted that there was no evidence of Kwankwaso defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and encouraged Nigerians to rally behind him ahead of the 2027 race.

But Agbo Major countered the narrative, stating that both Kwankwaso and Galadima had been formally expelled from the NNPP over “anti-party activities” and, as such, no longer have any rights within the party.

“The NNPP had long expelled Kwankwaso and Galadima, and so they no longer speak for us, nor can they use our platform for any political contest,” he said.

According to Major, the party’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiya Movement, led by Kwankwaso, was terminated shortly after the 2023 election cycle.

“Our Memorandum of Understanding with the Kwankwasiya Movement, led by Kwankwaso, ended shortly after the 2023 presidential election.”

“We cannot even allow Kwankwaso, for whatever reason, to return to the NNPP fold because of the problems and internal wranglings he created for us,” he added.

He accused Kwankwaso of hijacking party structures and manipulating internal processes, including altering the NNPP’s logo during a disputed convention.

“Kwankwaso led us into unnecessary litigations and even changed our party logo to the Kwankwasiya logo, all in an attempt to hijack the leadership of the party.
It was the Court’s interventions that led to INEC changing back to our logo that they submitted after a kangaroo convention in Abuja,” Major explained.

The NNPP chairman also cast doubt on Kwankwaso’s political viability in any future contest, especially against President Bola Tinubu.

“Kwankwaso must be counting on another free ticket like he got for the 2023 presidential election, but it would not happen again.
Certainly, Kwankwaso can never join any political party where he will not have the chance of leadership.”

“Kwankwaso and his group remain expelled, and we will not readmit them because they betrayed our trust massively. He does not have the pedigree to match President Tinubu in any contest, and so his ambition is dead on arrival,” he said.

While acknowledging Kwankwaso’s constitutional right to run for office, Major urged him to do so outside the NNPP and without dragging the party into personal feuds.

“It is Kwankwaso’s right as a Nigerian to seek to contest for any office, but he should do so without getting the party involved in any of his antagonisms against the president,” Major said.

He also revealed that the party has started receiving interest from other potential aspirants for 2027 and will ensure the next presidential ticket is awarded through a transparent and democratic process.

“Whoever will emerge as the NNPP 2027 presidential candidate will do so, following due process and constitutionality. We will no longer hand over our ticket on a platter of gold, and definitely not to someone who betrayed our trust and is no longer in the party,” he added.

Agbo Major concluded by warning Nigerians not to be misled by comments from Kwankwaso’s camp, emphasizing that the NNPP is committed to constructive, issue-based politics.

“The NNPP as a party believes in constructive criticisms of issues and not against personalities or other political parties.
We advise Kwankwaso to float his own party and use it for his own agenda.
NNPP has moved on and can’t be dragged into unnecessary controversies again,” he said.