Reps Set to Vote on 37 Constitutional Amendment Bills, Including State Police Reform

The House of Representatives is set to vote today on 37 constitutional amendment bills that could significantly reshape Nigeria’s political, electoral, security, judicial and governance structures.

Among the most closely watched proposals is a bill seeking to establish state police, a reform that has generated intense national debate amid growing concerns over insecurity across the country. Lawmakers will also consider amendments on independent candidacy, local government autonomy, judicial reforms, women’s representation, citizenship rights, and the funding of traditional institutions.

The 37 constitutional amendment bills scheduled for consideration are:

1. Independent candidacy for presidential, governorship, National Assembly, State House of Assembly and local government elections.
2. New criteria, independence and expanded powers for State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
3. Establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.
4. Measures to reduce the burden on the Supreme Court and reposition it as a court of policy.
5. Regulation of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, including timelines for disposal of appeals.
6. Allowing elevated judges to conclude part-heard criminal cases commenced before their promotion.
7. Establishment of state police.
8. Financial independence for the Armed Forces through first-line charge funding.
9. Recognition of local government councils as a constitutionally protected third tier of government.
10. Establishment of independent State Auditors-General for Local Governments and FCT Area Councils.
11. Strengthening the constitutional framework for local government administration and accountability.
12. Measures to enhance local government autonomy and governance.
13. Reforms relating to local government financial oversight.
14. Constitutional safeguards for local government operations.
15. Improved accountability mechanisms at the local government level.
16. Administrative reforms affecting local government councils.
17. Additional constitutional provisions relating to local government administration.
18. Granting citizenship rights to foreign spouses of Nigerians on a gender-neutral basis.
19. Introduction of citizenship by investment.
20. Creation of additional special seats for women in the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly.
21. Institutionalisation of legislative bureaucracy and legislative service structures.
22. Setting timelines for the submission of appropriation bills.
23. Provision for swearing in newly elected lawmakers after the inauguration of the National Assembly.
24. New procedures for the removal of presiding officers of State Houses of Assembly.
25. Removal of transitional law-making powers from the executive arm of government.
26. Inclusion of tourism and tourism-related matters on the Concurrent Legislative List.
27. Enhanced constitutional protection for children.
28. Expanded definition of torture and degrading treatment, including the public parade of suspects.
29. Protection of unborn children carried by pregnant women sentenced to death.
30. Recognition of the right to a clean, safe and healthy environment.
31. Mandatory submission of audited financial statements by government agencies and statutory corporations.
32. Public disclosure of Auditor-General reports.
33. Expansion of membership of the Federal Civil Service Commission.
34. Guaranteed representation for every local government in State Houses of Assembly.
35. Separation of the qualification status of governors and deputy governors in election disputes.
36. Establishment of State Councils of Traditional Rulers.
37. Provision of a stable statutory funding framework for traditional institutions through allocations from local government funds.

The outcome of the voting session is expected to determine which of the proposed amendments advance in the constitutional review process, with successful bills requiring further approval by the Senate and at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly before becoming part of the Constitution.