By Onozure Dania

Civil society groups in the country have been called to come together and form coordinated inputs for the forthcoming review of the 1999 constitution by the National Assembly.

The call was made by an advocacy group, Hurilaws in Lagos where it sought a joint effort from the civil societies in addressing the constitutional challenges and the expected amendments.

“In spite of the different approaches to constitution making in the colonial and post colonial years and the various constitutions, it has not emanated from the full involvement of the Nigerian people.” The body noted

It said the effort has in turn generated extensive alienation from various constitutions which has just remained elitist documents, “but had failed to serve as the basis for Nigeria’s corporate existence and vast majority of Nigerians have never seen or read the constitution and it can not be considered as the source of Nigerian’s corporate existence.”

According to the senior programs officer, of Hurilaws, Collins Okeke, who noted that history of constitution making in Nigeria, had not been evolving and Nigerians have not been contributing to the constitution making in the country.

Okeke, said Hurilaws and other civil societies have been advocating for the review of the 1999 constitution, adding that Hurilaws had started a process which was by participatory approach to constitution making in Nigeria.

He said constitution making in Nigeria should not be a secret affair dominated and directed by the political elites especially conservative lawyers and politicians, but should be guided by the principles of inclusively, diversity, transparency, openness, autonomy, accountability and legitimacy.

He added that as the amendment debate begins, it would be crucial that civil society groups in Nigeria, makes inputs into the review process.

Okeke, said “This will require that the debates be streamlined and structured in such a way that it would give room for specialized and focused discussions by the relevant stakeholders and experts in various areas of constitution making.”

Continuing, he said Hurilaws, wants to start the process with a view to fostering national consensus on the content and process of review needed in our country.

“It is Hurilaws belief that by raising public consciousness and expanding the base for united action, the constitution review project, will benefit the Nigerian people.”