Abuja, Nigeria – The House of Representatives on Tuesday advanced 39 constitutional amendment bills to second reading, proposing significant changes across judicial reforms, electoral matters, security, and governance.
Key Proposed Amendments
- A bill to establish state police and local government police
- A bill for simultaneous elections for all executive and legislative offices
- A bill to make Court of Appeal final court for election petitions
- A bill on proclamation of new Assembly by Clerk/Chief Justice
- A bill to establish FCT House of Assembly
- A bill for special seats for physically challenged persons
- A bill on public servants engaging in healthcare/education
- A bill to establish Political Parties Registration Commission
- A bill for pre-swearing resolution of election petitions
- A bill for INEC to conduct LG elections
- A bill on official resignation before defection
- A bill to establish National Local Government Electoral Commission
The bills, which were not debated at this stage, have now been referred to relevant committees for further legislative work. Constitutional amendments require approval by two-thirds of state legislatures after passing through the National Assembly.
The proposed changes, particularly on state police and electoral reforms, could significantly reshape Nigeria’s governance framework if eventually passed into law. The simultaneous elections bill may face constitutional challenges regarding tenure alignment.
