**Nigerians Decry Delay in Passing Constitution Review Bills** By John Shiklam in Kaduna A coalition of civil society organisations, the JESZ Development Foundation (JDev) in partnership with the North West Youth Electoral Reform Project (YERP), has expressed deep concerns over the prolonged delay in passing pending constitutional review bills by the current National Assembly. Since February 2024, the 10th National Assembly has been reviewing the 1999 Constitution, but unfortunately, no bill has been passed yet, leaving the country uncertain about the future of these amendments. The JDev Executive Director, Zigwai Ayuba, lamented that despite the long wait, there are still no clear dates for a National Assembly vote to pass these bills, which are crucial for strengthening our electoral process and addressing critical sectors of national development. These bills cover essential areas such as security, policing, local government, judiciary, legislative, and fiscal reforms. The JDev specifically called for the passage of bills that would establish an Electoral Offences Commission, provide for independent candidacy, conclude election petitions before swearing-in winners, and create special seats for women in the National and State Assemblies. Some of the bills mentioned include House Bill 1219 on the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission, Senate Bill 508 on expedited election petitions, House Bill 1630 on independent candidacy, House Bill 1349 and Senate Bill 440 on special seats for women. The group noted that the timelines in the 2026 Electoral Act align with some of the proposed constitutional amendments, particularly the bill seeking expedited hearing and determination of election petitions. They urged the National Assembly to expedite the process and pass these bills without further delay. This plea is timely, considering Nigeria's complex electoral process and the ongoing efforts to strengthen our electoral system. The delay in passing these bills is a missed opportunity to address some of the country's most pressing issues and ensure a free and fair electoral process. The JDev's call to action is a reminder to the National Assembly of the importance of their role in shaping Nigeria's future. It is now up to the lawmakers to rise to the challenge and pass these critical bills, ensuring that the country moves forward in a positive direction.