Senator representing Kwara North senatorial district, Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, has said that the ongoing constitutional review in the country offers an opportunity to build a more inclusive and responsive democracy.
Speaking at the 2025 press week celebration of the Kwara TV chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin on Wednesday, Senator Umar said that the constitution review faced resistance from those who benefit from the current structure.
The lawmaker, who urged Nigerians to actively engage in the review process, emphasised the role of the media in driving awareness and accountability.
“Some people benefit from the structure as it is. That’s why constitution review is often resisted”, the senator said. “But we must not allow political comfort to stand in the way of national progress, the constitution must reflect the aspirations of all Nigerians”.
However, the senator highlighted key challenges facing the process, including political reluctance, low public awareness, and a gap between lawmaking and implementation.
“Many Nigerians don’t even know that the constitution review is ongoing. That is a big problem. A people-driven constitution cannot succeed if the people are unaware or uninvolved”, he said.
He called on the media to play a more active role in educating citizens, amplifying debates, and holding public office holders accountable during the review process.
In line with the Senator’s take on the media role, the Commissioner for Communication in Kwara state, Hon. Bola Olukoju, represented by the Director of Information Services, Alhaji Jimoh Salau, said that the review process is only for the benefit of the people.
“This process speaks directly to the story of our communities. As members of the 4th Estate of the realm, journalists are not just co-returners, but also custodians of culture, and facilitators of public understanding”, the commissioner said.
She added that their role is to define complex national issues, such as policing and movements, and bring them to the grasp of those who actually need them.
The event brought together media professionals, lawmakers, academics, and civil society actors to examine the gains and challenges of Nigeria’s ongoing constitution review process.
The event featured discussions on the need for a more inclusive, dynamic, and people-centred constitution, with speakers highlighting the potential benefits and the major challenges of reviewing the nation’s constitution.
