The two chambers of the National Assembly have passed a resolution adopting 35 Constitution Alteration bills received from State Houses of Assembly, approving amendments made by the National Assembly in 2022. The 35 Constitution Alteration bills are now set to be transmitted to the President for his assent. While the Senate passed their resolution on the bills at plenary on January 24, 2022, the House of Representatives followed suit on January 25. The Standing Orders of the houses of the National Assembly provide for Constitution Alteration bills passed by two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly to be adopted by a joint resolution of the two houses before onward transmission to the President.
It will be recalled that the National Assembly transmitted 44 Constitution Alteration bills to the State Houses of Assembly for assent in 2022. While 27 States have considered these bills and transmitted their resolutions to the National Assembly, nine States are yet to do so. Out of 44 bills, 35 were passed by at least 24 States as required by the Nigerian Constitution.
The 35 bills set for transmission for Presidential assent are as follows:
1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 3, 2022 (Change of Names of Afikpo North and Afikpo South Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State – Part I, First Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Change the Name Afikpo North and Afikpo South Local Government Areas; and for Related Matters
2. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 4, 2022 (Change of Name of “Kunchi” Local Government Area of Kano State – Part I, First Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Change the name of Kunchi Local Government Area to “Ghari”, Local Government Area. and for Related Matters.
3. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 5, 2022 (Change of Names of Egbado North and Egbado South Local Government Areas of Ogun State – Part I, First Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Change the Names of Egbado North and Egbado South Local Government Areas to “Yewa North” and “Yewa South”, local government Areas respectively.
4. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 7, 2022 (Correction of the name “Atigbo” Local Government Area of Oyo State – Part I, First Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Correct name Atigbo Local government Area to “Atisbo”, Local Government Area
5. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 8, 2022 (Correction of the Name “Obia/Akpor” Local Government Area of Rivers State – Part I, First Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Correct the Name of Obia/Akpor Local Government Area to “Obio/Akpor”, Local Government Area.
6. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 9, 2022 (Financial Autonomy of State Legislatures and State Judiciary – Section 121 & Part II, Third Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Financial Independence of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary
7. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 10, 2022 (Enforcement of Legislative Summons – Sections 89 & 129)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to compel persons to obey or comply with Legislative Summons
8. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 11, 2022 (Inauguration of Senators and Members-Elect – Sections 54, 96 & 311)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Regulate the First Session and Inauguration of Members- Elect of the National and State Houses of Assembly.
9. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 21, 2022 (Deletion of Reference in the Constitution to the Provisions of the Criminal Code, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act, Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act – Section 254)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Delete the Reference to the Provisions of the Criminal Code, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act, Criminal Procedure Code or Evidence Act
10. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 22, 2022 (Provision for Intervening Events in the Computation of Time for the Determination of Pre-election Petitions, Election Petitions and Appeals Therefrom –Section 285)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to exclude the Period of Intervening Events in the Computation of Time for Determining Pre-Election Petitions, Election Petitions and Appeals therefrom
11. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 24, 2022 (Expansion of the Interpretation of “Judicial Office” –Section 318)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to expand the Interpretation of Judicial Office to include Courts or Tribunals created by an Act of the National Assembly or a State Law of the House of Assembly.
12. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 25, 2022 (Appointment of the Secretary of the National Judicial Council – Part I, Third Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the Post Call Qualification of the Secretary of the National Judicial Council
13. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 29, 2022 (Devolution of Powers [Airports] – Part I & II, Second Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Move Airports from Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List
14. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 30, 2022 (Fingerprints, Identification and Criminal Records – Part I & II, Second Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to move Fingerprints, Identification and Criminal Records from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List
15. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 31, 2022 (Correctional Services – Part I & II, Second Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Delete Prisons in the Exclusive Legislative List and Redesignate it as Correctional Service in the Concurrent Legislative List
16. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 32, 2022 (Railways – Part I & II, Second Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to move Railway from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List
17. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 33, 2022 (National Grid System – Part I & II, Second Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to allow States Generate, Transmit and Distribute Electricity in Area covered by the National Grid
18. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 39, 2022 (Power to Enforce Compliance of Remittance of Accruals into the Federation Account and Review of Revenue Allocation Formula – Section 162 & Part I, Third Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Empower the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission to Enforce Compliance with Remittance of Accruals into and Disbursement of Revenue from the Federation Account and Streamline the Procedure for Reviewing the Revenue Allocation Formula.
19. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 40, 2022 (Independence of Certain Bodies – Sections 158 & 202)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Enhance the Independence of Certain Bodies.
20. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 41, 2022 (Removal of Transitional Law-making Powers of the Executive – Section 315)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Remove Transitional Lawmaking Powers from the Executive Arms of Government
21. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 43, 2022 (Domestication of Treaties – Section 12)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Specify the Time within which the Executive shall present to the National Assembly any Treaty between the Federation and any other Country for Enactment
22. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 44, 2022 (Timeline for the Presentation of Appropriation Bills – Sections 81 & 121)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Specify the period within which the President or the Governor of State shall present the Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly or House of Assembly
23. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 45, 2022 (Timeframe for the Submission of the Names of Ministerial or Commissioner Nominees – Sections 147 & 192)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Require the President or Governors to submit the Names of Persons Nominated as Ministers or Commissioners within thirty days of taking the Oaths of Office for Confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly
24. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 48, 2022 (Power to Summon the President and Governors – Sections 67 & 108)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Empower the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to summon the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governors of States to answer Questions on issues on which the National and State Houses of Assembly have the Powers to make Law
25. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 49, 2022 (Authorisation of Expenditure – Sections 82 & 122)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to reduce the Period within which the President or the Governor of a State may authorize the withdrawal of Monies from the Consolidated Revenue Fund in the absence of an Appropriations Act from six months to three months.
26. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 50, 2022 (Replacement/Correction of the Usage of the “Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation” with the “Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government” in the Constitution – Sections 80, 81, 82 & 83)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Replace the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation with the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government
27. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 51, 2022 (Creation of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government – Section 84)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Establish the Office of the Accountant –General of the Federal Government separate from the Office of the Accountant –General of the Federation
28. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 47, 2022 (Establishment of State Security Council – Section 197 & Part II, Third Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Establish State Security Council; and for related matters
29. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 54, 2022 (State of the Nation and State of the State Address – Sections 67 & 108)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for a State of the Nation and State of the State Address by the President and Governor
30.Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 55, 2022 (Composition of Members of the Council of State – Part I, Third Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Include Former Heads of the National Assembly in the Council of State.
31. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 57, 2022 (Restriction on Formation of Political Parties – Sections 222 & 223)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Enhance existing Provisions on the Formation of Political Parties
32. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 62, 2022 (Correction in the Definition of the Boundary of the Federal Capital Territory – Part II, First Schedule)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to correct the Error in the definition of the Boundary of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
33. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 63, 2022 (Fundamental Human Rights – Sections 18 & 45)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to make Free, Compulsory and Basic Education a Fundamental Right of all Citizens under Chapter IV of the Constitution
34. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 65, 2022 (Food Security – Section 16)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Require the Government to Direct its Policy towards ensuring Rights to Food and Food Security in Nigeria.
35. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 66, 2022 (Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps – Section 213 & Part III)
A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Reflect the Establishment and Core Functions of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Click here https://bit.ly/40es46j to see how the State Houses of Assembly voted on the 44 bills.