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Akpabio, Kalu Push Bold Reforms — Call for Stronger Democracy and Women’s Inclusion
ABUJA — Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu issued a joint call Monday for sweeping constitutional reforms to deepen democracy in Nigeria, with a particular focus on increasing women’s inclusion and reinforcing key state institutions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking at a consultative session convened by the House Committee on Constitution Review, the two leaders said the current constitutional framework is outdated and must evolve to meet the nation’s present challenges.
“Any nation that sidelines its women weakens itself,” Akpabio declared, as he backed proposals to reserve seats for women and push political parties to promote gender-balanced candidacy.
Kalu echoed the urgency of change, describing the 1999 Constitution as insufficient for today’s Nigeria. He urged stakeholders to craft a “living document” that does not simply allow democracy, but actively enables it.
Key Reforms on the Table
Several proposals featured prominently during the session:
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Reserved seats for women in legislative houses to guarantee greater female representation.
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Strengthening INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) and insulating the judiciary from political influence.
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Full financial and operational autonomy for local governments, to deepen federalism and bring governance closer to citizens.
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State policing, proposed as a way to tackle security challenges, with safeguards to protect civil liberties.
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Independent Appointment Committee for selecting INEC leadership, removing it entirely from direct presidential appointment.
The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) also urged the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), arguing they often undermine the fairness of local elections.
Why the Reforms Matter
For Akpabio and Kalu, the stakes are high. They warn that elections perceived as unfair or courts slow to act erode public trust in democracy.
Kalu observed that women remain underrepresented despite being half the population, and that constitutional gaps have fueled post-election litigation and weak governance at the grassroots.
The leadership described the current constitution review as the most inclusive in Nigeria’s history, citing broad consultations with civil society, legal experts, party leaders, and traditional rulers.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the ambitious proposals, implementation could face resistance. Some party leaders were absent from the session — though their women leaders attended.
Additionally, the bill to allow state policing may spark debates over federal vs. local authority, while reserved seats for women will require balancing merit and gender quotas.
What Comes Next
Akpabio and Kalu pledged cooperation with the Executive, political parties, and civil society to refine and pass the required bills before the 2027 general elections.
According to them, the reforms must be driven by consensus, not partisan interest — aiming to revitalize Nigeria’s democracy in a way that benefits all citizens.
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has said that the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran are triggering global energy shocks that are contributing to rising inflation in Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Israel, Nkechi Ufochukwu, has stated that efforts are ongoing to strengthen trade relations between Nigeria and Israel as part of wider plans to enhance bilateral cooperation and economic growth.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking at a forum held over the weekend in Abuja, the envoy explained that boosting trade between both countries remains a key priority in her diplomatic mission.
She emphasized that her focus is on expanding the existing trade framework between Nigeria and Israel, describing it as essential to deepening economic ties and improving collaboration between both nations.
Ufochukwu also noted that her agenda extends beyond trade, including the promotion of Nigeria’s culture, agriculture, and investment opportunities, as well as supporting training programmes in cybersecurity and information technology.
She assured stakeholders of her commitment to fully delivering on her responsibilities, adding that sustained communication and cooperation would be important in achieving set goals.
Participants at the forum highlighted the need for Nigeria to address structural barriers affecting business growth, while pointing to Israel’s innovation-driven economy as a model worth studying.
One of the attendees, Pastor Henry Opara, called for formal bilateral agreements, stressing that most current business interactions between both countries are informal and based on personal relationships rather than structured government frameworks.
He argued that stronger government-to-government agreements would provide clearer rules and more stable economic engagement.
Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Nigeria–Israel Business Forum, Mrs. Florence Osuji, urged both countries to renew official trade agreements, noting that some existing arrangements have expired, leaving current trade relations without strong institutional backing.
A delegation from the Ugandan government is currently in Nigeria to understudy the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system as part of efforts to address youth unemployment through skills acquisition.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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