Major Legislative Shake-Up: Full List Of 44 Bills Up For National Assembly Vote

The National Assembly is set to commence debates and voting on 44 constitution alteration bills covering a broad spectrum of reforms, including electoral processes, judicial restructuring, state policing, devolution of powers, and local government autonomy.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The bills also address inclusive governance, traditional institutions, fiscal federalism, citizenship, indigenisation, and the protection of fundamental human rights.

For years, there have been calls for a comprehensive restructuring of Nigeria’s political and administrative framework, with advocates urging the devolution of more powers to states and local governments.

The last amendment to the 1999 Constitution, the Fifth Amendment, was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari on March 17, 2023, adopting 16 of the proposed changes. Since the start of this year, both the Senate and House of Representatives have conducted public hearings and consulted stakeholders on the proposed reforms.

Although voting was initially scheduled for October 14, it was delayed, and debates are yet to begin. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the Constitution Review Committee, assured that the process would conclude before the end of 2025.

Key Areas Covered by the 44 Bills

Local Government Reforms

1. Establish local government councils as a tier of government and revise the election process for chairmen and vice-chairmen to enhance autonomy.

2. Create the office of the state auditors-general for LGAs and FCT area councils to strengthen fiscal oversight.
   3–9. Amend the names of various LGAs in Delta, Oyo, Kaduna, Osun, and Ekiti states for clarity and consistency.

Inclusive Governance and Citizenship
10. Grant citizenship rights to foreign men married to Nigerian women, addressing gender disparities.
11. Introduce citizenship by investment for qualified foreign investors meeting specific thresholds.
12. Reserve legislative seats for women at national and state levels to enhance representation.

Electoral Reforms
13. Set criteria for appointing State Independent Electoral Commission members and grant the commission greater powers.
14. Allow independent candidacy for all levels of elections.
15. Establish an Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.

Strengthening Institutions
16. Expand the Federal Civil Service Commission to include representation from all states and the FCT.
17. Ensure every LGA has representation in the state House of Assembly.
18. Separate the offices of the Attorney-General and Minister/Commissioner for Justice to ensure independence.
19. Separate qualifications for governor and deputy governor to avoid electoral nullifications tied to running mates.

Security/State Police
20. Establish state and community policing.
21. Ensure financial independence of the Armed Forces.

Legislature Reforms
22. Institutionalize legislative bureaucracy.
23. Specify timelines for appropriation bills.
24. Provide procedures for inaugurating new members.
25. Establish procedures for removing state House presiding officers.
26. Remove transitional law-making powers from the executive.

Judicial Reforms
27–34. Streamline election petition processes, regulate Supreme Court and Court of Appeal jurisdiction, enhance judicial independence, expand criminal jurisdiction, and improve pensions and succession in judicial offices.

Human Rights
35. Define acts constituting torture or degrading treatment.
36. Protect the rights of unborn children when the mother is sentenced to death.
37. Guarantee the right to a clean, safe, and healthy environment.

Devolution of Powers
38–40. Transfer responsibilities such as road construction (except Trunk ‘A’ roads), tourism, and quarantine to the concurrent legislative list.

Traditional Institutions
41. Establish the Council of Traditional Rulers.
42. Provide direct financial allocation of at least 5% to heads of traditional rulers.

Fiscal Reforms
43. Mandate yearly financial statements from all statutory bodies to the auditor-general.
44. Require public disclosure of reports from the Auditor-General of the Federation and states.