Jonas Ezieke, Abuja
The National Assembly has commenced the next stage of the constitutional alteration process with the transmission of the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 to the 36 Houses of Assembly for their consideration and approval.
This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen by the Clerk to the National Assembly CNA, Mr.Kamoru Ogunlana, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The CNA has, pursuant to the directive of the leadership of the National Assembly, transmitted the Bill to the respective State Houses of Assembly in accordance with Section 9 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) on 16th September, 2026.
Section 9 of the Constitution provides, among other requirements, that a Bill for the purpose of altering the provisions of the Constitution shall not be passed by either House of the National Assembly unless it is approved by resolution of not less than two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation.
The Clerk to the National Assembly has requested the State Houses of Assembly to give the Bill the requisite consideration in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and to communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly upon conclusion of their consideration.
It is noted that the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period within which the State Houses of Assembly are required to communicate their resolutions on a constitutional alteration Bill.
Nevertheless, in the interest of an orderly, coordinated and timely conclusion of the constitutional alteration process, the State Houses of Assembly are expected to consider the Bill and communicate their respective resolutions to the National Assembly within 30 days of receipt.
For clarity, the 30-day period is an expected administrative timeframe and does not constitute a constitutional deadline.
The National Assembly recognises the constitutional responsibility vested in the State Houses of Assembly and respects their independence in the consideration of the Bill. The transmission is intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of their constitutional role in the process.
The National Assembly remains committed to ensuring that the constitutional alteration process is conducted in strict compliance with the Constitution and in accordance with the principles of due process, institutional cooperation and respect for the legislative responsibilities of all tiers of the legislature.
Upon receipt of the resolutions of the State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly will proceed with the necessary steps in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
For a better society
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