The House of Representatives has advanced 39 constitutional amendment bills to the second reading, covering key areas such as judicial reforms, electoral matters, security and policing, inclusive governance, and legislative processes.
Key Proposed Amendments
Some of the major constitutional amendments include:
State and Local Government Police
Establishment of state police and local government police to enhance security at all levels.
Simultaneous General Elections
Conducting presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state House of Assembly, and local government elections on the same date, as determined by INEC in consultation with the National Assembly.
Final Appeal Court for Election Petitions
Making the Court of Appeal the final court for election petitions concerning governorship, National Assembly, and state House of Assembly elections.
Proclamation of New Assemblies
Allowing the Clerk of the National Assembly or the Chief Justice of Nigeria to proclaim the inauguration of a new Assembly if the President or Governor fails to do so.
Creation of FCT House of Assembly
Establishing a legislative house for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Special Seats for Physically Challenged Persons
Providing reserved seats for persons with disabilities at federal, state, and local government levels.
Public Servants in Health and Education Sectors
Allowing public servants to engage in healthcare education, production, and services, beyond just farming.
Political Parties Registration and Regulation
Establishing a Political Parties Registration and Regulatory Commission to register, regulate, and monitor political parties.
Election Petition Appeals Before Swearing-In
Ensuring that all election-related appeals are resolved before the swearing-in of elected officials.
INEC to Conduct Local Government Elections
Vesting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the power to conduct local government elections, instead of state electoral commissions.
Resignation Before Defection
Mandating that National Assembly and state House of Assembly members must officially resign from their party before defecting to another party.
Independent National Local Government Electoral Commission
Establishing a national local government electoral body responsible for conducting elections for local government chairmen and councillors nationwide, including in the FCT.
Despite the passage of the bills to second reading, they were not debated in the House. Further deliberations and public hearings are expected in subsequent stages of the amendment process.
