In the 25 years since Nigeria’s return to democracy, the 1999 Constitution has undergone five amendments, with billions of naira spent on the process. This has sparked concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of constitutional amendments in the country.
The amendment process has become a recurring event in Nigeria, often accompanied by significant anticipation, yet yielding limited results. According to findings from the Sunday Vanguard, the Constitution has been altered five times—twice in 2010 under President Umaru Yar’Adua and three times under President Muhammadu Buhari.
The alterations include the first, second, and third amendments in 2010, the fourth in 2017, and the fifth in 2023. However, the constitutional review process has faced setbacks, such as during President Obasanjo’s tenure, when efforts were derailed by his alleged third-term ambitions. Similarly, former President Jonathan vetoed constitutional alteration bills in 2015, citing irregularities and attempts to undermine the Separation of Powers.
Among the key changes in 2010 were placing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the First Line Charge in the Consolidated Revenue Fund, reducing age qualifications for INEC officials, and altering the judicial process for election petitions. In 2018, President Buhari signed the Not-Too-Young-To-Run bill into law, further lowering age requirements for certain political offices.
Despite these efforts, the billions spent on constitutional amendments have left stakeholders questioning the slow pace of change, which has hindered Nigeria’s ability to adapt to evolving challenges.
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