…State legislatures are expected to respond within 30 days
The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the alteration of some provisions of the 1999 Constitution especially the establishment of State Police to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, who announced this on Wednesday, September 16, 2926, said the National Assembly expects an Bill was transmitted to the State Assemblies on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 with expectation for expeditious consideration of the bill within one month.
Ogunlana further said that even though the Constitution did not specify a timeframe for the State Assemblies to respond, the National Assembly expects them to communicate their resolutions within 30 days of receiving the bill.
He however, explained that the 30-day period is only an administrative timeframe and not a constitutional deadline, stressing that the National Assembly recognized the constitutional responsibility and independence of the State Houses of Assembly in considering the proposed amendments.
Under constitutional provisions, a bill seeking to alter the Constitution must secure the approval of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before the process can be considered concluded.
The State Police Bill was passed some weeks ago by both chambers of the National Assembly as a crucial step towards tackling security challenges in the country.
The National Assembly had said that it would proceed with the next steps once the resolutions of the State Assemblies are returned, while reaffirming commitment to due process, institutional cooperation and strict compliance with the Constitution.
