The Senate has said the 2027 general elections will not prevent the 10th National Assembly from completing the ongoing constitutional amendment process before its tenure ends in June 2027.
The assurance was given amid concerns that increased political activities ahead of the elections could slow down the review process and cause it to suffer the same fate as previous attempts that failed to produce the desired changes to the Constitution.
Some critics had also raised concerns over the possibility of public funds already committed to the exercise being wasted if the amendment process is not completed.
However, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the Senate leadership was determined to conclude the proposed amendments within the lifespan of the current National Assembly.
Adaramodu explained that the constitutional review had already commenced under the 10th Assembly and would be completed before lawmakers’ tenure expires in June 2027.
He also pointed out that January 2027, when the general elections are scheduled to take place, would not mark the end of the 10th National Assembly.
According to him, the recently passed Electoral Act has made provisions for the conduct of the January 2027 elections, allowing lawmakers to continue with their legislative responsibilities beyond the polls.
The constitutional amendment exercise is one of the major issues before the 10th National Assembly, with proposals covering areas such as governance, political restructuring and other parts of Nigeria’s constitutional system.
For any proposed constitutional amendment to become law, it must pass through several stages. Apart from securing the required support in the National Assembly, amendments must also receive approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly.
Previous attempts to amend the Constitution have faced difficulties, with some proposals failing to obtain the required backing after lengthy legislative processes and public discussions.
The latest assurance from the Senate came shortly after Senate President Godswill Akpabio said political activities ahead of the 2027 elections would not stop members of the National Assembly from carrying out their legislative duties.
Akpabio maintained that lawmakers could participate in political activities while still attending to the responsibilities attached to their offices.
His position followed growing political consultations among parties, aspirants and other stakeholders as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace.
The Senate leadership’s latest position indicates that lawmakers plan to continue work on the constitutional review despite the increasing political activities surrounding the forthcoming elections.
The completion of the exercise, however, will depend on how quickly the proposals move through the National Assembly and whether they receive the necessary approval from the state Houses of Assembly before the 10th Assembly ends in June 2027.
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