2027 polls won’t derail constitutional amendment, Senate assures
The Senate has assured Nigerians that the ongoing constitutional amendment process will be concluded before the expiration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2027, dismissing concerns that the exercise could be derailed by preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The assurance followed fears in some quarters that the review process might not be completed before the elections, raising concerns that the exercise could suffer the fate of previous unsuccessful attempts at constitutional reform and result in the loss of billions of naira committed to the process.
There have also been concerns that increasing political activities and preparations for the 2027 elections could distract lawmakers and prevent the National Assembly from completing the amendment process within the lifespan of the current Assembly.
However, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, dismissed the concerns in an interview with The PUNCH, saying the Senate leadership remained committed to completing the proposed amendments before the expiration of the 10th National Assembly.
Adaramodu explained that the January 2027 general elections would not affect the amendment process because the tenure of the current National Assembly would not expire until June 2027.
He said the recently passed Electoral Act had also addressed issues relating to the conduct of the 2027 elections.
Adaramodu stated, “The proposed constitution amendments, already started by the 10th National Assembly, shall be passed in the life of this current Assembly.
“However, January is not the terminal date of the 10th National Assembly, but June 2027.
“The Electoral Act, recently passed, has taken care of the January 2027 general elections.”
The constitutional amendment process remains one of the major legislative undertakings of the 10th National Assembly, with proposals covering governance, political restructuring and other aspects of Nigeria’s constitutional framework expected to be considered.
Constitutional amendments require approval by the National Assembly and endorsement by at least two thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly before they can become law.
Previous constitutional review exercises have generated significant public debate and consumed substantial public resources, with several proposals failing to secure the required support.
The Senate’s assurance came days after the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, also said political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections would not prevent the National Assembly from performing its legislative duties.
Akpabio, speaking with journalists at the Presidential Wing of the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, said lawmakers would continue to carry out their constitutional responsibilities despite increasing political consultations and campaign activities.
He maintained that political activities and legislative duties could be balanced, stressing that lawmakers would continue to make laws and perform their constitutional functions.
With political parties and aspirants already intensifying consultations ahead of the 2027 elections, the Senate leadership has maintained that electioneering will not interfere with its legislative agenda.
The success of the proposed constitutional amendments, however, will ultimately depend on the pace of consideration by the National Assembly and the ability of the proposals to secure the required support from the state Houses of Assembly.