March 25, 2025
By Adedoja Adesoji
The House of Representatives has made some progress in reforming Nigeria’s constitution by passing 39 constitutional amendment bills for second reading.
A key bill passed is the Establishment of State Police and Local Government Police, aiming to decentralize policing and improve security at state and local levels.
This bill is expected to address the country’s security challenges by giving more powers to state and local governments to establish their own police forces.
The bill’s passage is seen as a step towards reforming Nigeria’s policing system.
Other notable bills passed include:
-General Elections: A bill to conduct general elections to the Office of the President, State Governors, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, and Local Government Area Councils simultaneously on the same date.
-FCT House of Assembly: A bill to establish the FCT House of Assembly, which will give the Federal Capital Territory its own legislative assembly.
-Election Petition Tribunals: A bill to provide for the determination of all appeals arising from election petition tribunals prior to the swearing-in of elected officials, aiming to reduce electoral disputes and promote stability.
-INEC Powers: A bill to vest the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the power to conduct Local Government Area Council elections, aiming to strengthen INEC’s role in conducting free and fair elections.
-Defection: A bill to require official resignation from a political party before defection by members of the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, aiming to promote party loyalty and discipline.
-National Local Government Electoral Commission: A bill to establish the National Local Government Electoral Commission as an independent body responsible for organizing, conducting, and supervising elections into local government offices.
-Special Seats: A bill to provide for special seats for physically challenged persons in Nigeria’s federal, state, and local government areas, and legislative houses, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.
-Auditor-General: A bill to change the name of the Auditor-General of the Federation to Auditor-General of the Federal Government and strengthen the office’s powers and duties, aiming to promote transparency and accountability.
-Supreme Court: A bill to expand the number of justices of the Supreme Court and enhance service efficiency and timely dispensation of justice, aiming to improve the judiciary’s effectiveness.
