The House of Representatives has passed several significant constitutional amendment bills, including one that proposes the introduction of the office of the Prime Minister as the head of government and the office of President as the head of state. The bill also provides a framework for the election process for both offices. This is among 32 constitutional amendment bills that successfully passed the second reading in the House on Thursday.
Key bills that also passed second reading include:
- Seats for Women in National and State Assemblies: A bill proposing specific seats for women in the National Assembly and state houses of assembly, aiming to increase women’s representation in the legislature.
- Pre-Election Petition Matters: A bill that seeks to reduce the lengthy time required for the determination of pre-election petition matters and proposes the establishment of pre-election tribunals. This also aims to regulate the process of suspending a member of the National Assembly from their legislative duties.
- Review of Presidential and Vice-Presidential Requirements: A bill to alter the Constitution to review the qualifications for persons seeking to be elected as President, Vice-President, Governors, and Deputy Governors of Nigeria.
- Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Election Status: A bill to review the status of the Federal Capital Territory in terms of the election of the President of Nigeria.
- Creation of New States: Bills advocating for the creation of Wan State and Gobir State also passed their second readings.
With these additions, the total number of constitutional amendment bills that have passed the second reading in the House of Representatives now stands at 113. These amendments are part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s governance structures and address issues like representation, electoral processes, and state creation.
