“Stop Wasting People’s Time and Public Money” — Governor Diri tells Lawmakers Over repeated constitutional review exercises

“Stop Wasting People’s Time and Public Money” — Governor Diri tells Lawmakers Over repeated constitutional review exercises

 

 

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has strongly criticized the repeated constitutional review exercises carried out by Nigeria’s National Assembly, labeling them a futile cycle that squanders public funds and citizen trust.

 

Speaking during a public engagement on Friday, Governor Diri described the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution as an “annual ritual” that has yielded little or no result over the years.

 

“This annual ritual is not good for us as a state and as a country,” Diri declared. “We cannot be holding constitutional review sessions in every assembly session in the National Assembly and nothing comes out of it.”

 

The governor did not mince words as he questioned the sincerity and effectiveness of the National Assembly’s repeated attempts at amending the constitution, suggesting that the lack of results undermines democratic progress in the country.

 

“While constitution reform is indeed necessary, the endless reviews without implementation raise serious questions about our democratic processes,” he added. “It is becoming more like a waste of resources, human efforts, and a waste of time for both those in the National Assembly and indeed for the country at large.”

 

Governor Diri expressed concern that, despite several review exercises since the return to civilian rule in 1999, none have translated into substantial legal or structural changes that benefit the country.

 

“If we have no end to constitutional review and the constitutional review has to be continued in every new Assembly, then there is something wrong with us and our democracy,” he stated pointedly. “So I want to believe that this government has what it takes to implement the decisions that will be arrived at through these efforts.”

 

The remarks come at a critical time when national discourse remains sharply divided over Nigeria’s constitutional future. While some political leaders and civil society groups are pushing for a complete overhaul of the 1999 Constitution to reflect modern realities and federal principles, others argue for gradual amendments.

 

Diri’s candid remarks have added fuel to growing public skepticism about the constitution review process, with many citizens viewing it as a cosmetic exercise that lacks political will for actual change.

 

“We have heard a lot of reviews over the period, but none of them has seen the light of day,” the governor concluded, calling on lawmakers to ensure that this round of review delivers concrete outcomes and doesn’t become just another chapter in Nigeria’s long-running legislative loop.