The Constitutional Review Committee of the House of Representatives, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, has unveiled a series of bold amendments to the 1999 Constitution aimed at reducing presidential authority, streamlining elections, and promoting inclusivity in Nigerian governance.
A key proposal transfers the power to proclaim the National Assembly from the President to the Clerk of the National Assembly, with a similar provision applying to state legislatures, removing governors’ control over Houses of Assembly.
The committee also seeks to ensure that elected officials with valid Certificates of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are sworn in immediately, eliminating delays by presiding officers.
To enhance electoral efficiency, the committee proposes establishing a Political Parties Registration and Regulatory Commission (PPRRC) to oversee party registration and regulation, allowing INEC to focus exclusively on election management.
Additionally, amendments to sections 84, 153, and the Third Schedule of the Constitution would mandate that all elections—presidential, governorship, and legislative—occur on the same day to cut costs and simplify the process.
On inclusivity, the committee recommends creating 108 new National Assembly seats reserved for women—one additional senator per state and the FCT, and two additional House members per state and the FCT.
State Houses of Assembly would also reserve at least one seat per senatorial district for women.
Other reforms include establishing local government election tribunals, expanding the Code of Conduct Tribunal to reflect federal character principles, designating the Court of Appeal as the final court for certain election petitions, and setting time-bound procedures for appointing Supreme Court justices to reduce judicial delays.
The committee has also transformed 46 state creation requests and 117 local government creation requests into bills for further deliberation.
Spanning 13 thematic areas, including electoral and judicial reforms, devolution of powers, security, fiscal federalism, and traditional institutions, the proposals aim to strengthen Nigeria’s governance framework.
Stakeholder consultations on the amendments begin Monday, with the House expected to deliberate and finalize the bills thereafter.
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