The recent passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill demonstrated that the National Assembly could move swiftly when political alignment exists – particularly where there is strong Executive interest in concluding legislative action ahead of the 2027 elections. That episode, however, has also heightened public scrutiny. Many observers question why constitutional reforms of even greater structural importance have not received similar urgency.
Unlike ordinary legislation, constitutional amendment requires heightened consensus, supermajority votes, and ratification by at least two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly. This demands political coordination and leadership – both of which are increasingly constrained as electoral calculations begin to dominate legislative priorities.
Underlying Tensions
The reform process is unfolding amid notable institutional tensions. Lawmakers have repeatedly expressed frustration over delays in payment to contractors executing constituency projects. Protests by contractors at the Federal Ministry of Finance and within the National Assembly complex over several months have underscored the strain between the Executive and Legislature. Some legislators have openly linked their legislative cooperation to resolution of these funding issues.
While such fiscal and administrative disputes are not uncommon in presidential systems, their spillover into core legislative responsibilities risks weakening reform momentum at a critical time.
Legacy at Stake
Public expectations remain high. Civil society organizations and governance reform advocates continue to call for decisive action – particularly on the Special Seats for Women Bill, widely viewed as a historic opportunity to address Nigeria’s persistently low levels of female representation in elected office.
The proposal, which seeks to create additional women-only seats in the National and State Houses of Assembly, has become a litmus test for the Assembly’s reform credentials. For many observers, a successful vote on this measure would signal seriousness about inclusive democracy and constitutional modernization.
With barely sixteen months remaining before the Assembly enters the height of pre-election politics, the window for transformative reform is narrowing. The 10th National Assembly still has the opportunity to leave a substantive constitutional legacy. Whether it seizes that opportunity – or allows the review process to drift into pre-election inertia – will define its place in Nigeria’s democratic history.