Tag: Constitutional Amendment

Senate moves to amend Constitution for State Police

Aminu Imam
Senate moves to amend Constitution

…Pledges completion by year’s end The 10th Senate has pledged to complete amendments to the 1999 Constitution to enable the creation of state police before the end of 2026, setting the stage for what could become one of Nigeria’s most far-reaching security reforms since the return to democratic rule. Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, disclosed that lawmakers would immediately resume work on the constitutional review once plenary reconvenes next week. He assured Nigerians that the amendment process would be fast-tracked and concluded well before political campaigns begin ahead of the next…

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Constitution Amendment: H’Reps Okay Independent candidacy

Aminu Imam
H'Reps on independent candidacy

A Bill seeking to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended), to provide for independent candidacy yesterday passed through the second reading at the floor of the 10th House of Representatives. The Bill, titled: “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB1630) (Independent Candidates)”, is sponsored by the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi Jr., who represents the Ekiti-North 1 (lkole/Oye) Federal Constituency. This recommittal, serving as the second reading, followed a Motion moved by Isah Ambarura (APC, Sokoto), Deputy Chairman, House Committee…

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Renewed Kaduna Restoration Group proposes 25 Constitutional amendments for strengthening democracy

Aminu Imam
Ramalan

Aminu Imam Calls for more comprehensive electoral reform deepened yesterday, as the Renewed Kaduna Restoration Group (RKRG) unveiled a detailed set of 25 recommendations aimed at amendments/alterations to the 1999 Constitution to strengthen Nigeria’s good governance and democracy. Recall that the National Assembly has begun the process of consulting stakeholders towards reforming the electoral system in the country. Different groups have been submitting their contributions towards the new law, which is being worked on by the National Assembly joint committee on INEC and electoral reforms. The group’s document, titled: the…

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State of the Nation: RKRG calls for comprehensive amendments to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, amid restructuring debates

Aminu Imam
RKRG group

The Renewed Kaduna Restoration Group, (RKRG), has released a draft Memorandum urging the 10th National Assembly to consider significant amendments to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), in response to growing calls for political and economic restructuring in Nigeria. In a draft Memorandum, issued at the end of its meeting yesterday, the group’s recommendations addressed critical issues ranging from devolution of powers, fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, and state policing, to the form of government and the recognition of federating units. The RKRG is advocating for the devolution of certain federal…

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Emirship/Sultan: Atiku calls for Constitutional reform to protect traditional rulers

Aminu Imam
traditional rulers

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, expressed concerns over the growing trend of state governments interfering with the traditional stool enthronement process. He made this call via a statement issued on his X handle, emphasising the importance of protecting traditional institutions from state government arbitrariness, ensuring their stability and recognising their role in maintaining peace, security, and economic development in their domains. Atiku acknowledged that while the current constitution does not recognize traditional institutions, they have played a significant role in governance before colonialism and continue to do so. He advocated…

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Constitutional Amendment: ??House of Reps. seeks 6-year tenure for president, others

Aminu Imam
House of Reps

A group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives are seeking alterations to the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for the rotation of the Presidency among the six geo-political zones of the country. They also want an amendment to the Constitution to provide for “A single tenure of six years for the President and Governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Speaking on behalf of the group yesterday in Abuja, the member representing Ideato-South/Ideato-North federal constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, said, “The reduction in government spending and wastage, efficiency…

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Constitutional Amendment: Liberty TV Boss hail Buhari over power devolution laws, others

Aminu Imam

Chairman, Atar Communications Nig.) Ltd, owners of Liberty TV/Radios, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to 16 Constitution alteration Bills recently passed by National Assembly and States Houses of Assembly. According to Ramalan, the legislations, which moved Railway and Electricity to the Concurrent Legislative list, granted financial autonomy to State judiciary and legislature, will enhance the federal structure of the country. Recall that the National Assembly had last year transmitted 34 Constitution alteration to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent. However, President Buhari, on Friday…

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Buhari signs Bill that compels Tinubu to name ministers within 60 days of swearing-in

Aminu Imam

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law a Bill requiring the country’s President-elect, Bola Tinubu, to name his cabinet within 60 days of taking the oath of office. The Bill is one of 16 Constitution amendment Bills signed into law by President Buhari, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase. It was gathered that the Bill requires Presidents and Governors to submit the names of persons nominated as Ministers, or Commissioners, for confirmation by the Senate or State Houses of…

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Amended Constitution to allow States to generate, transmit electricity

Aminu Imam

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law the constitutional amendment allowing states in the country to licence, generate, transmit, and distribute electricity. This was made known in a tweet yesterday, by the presidential media spokesperson, Tolu Ogunlesi. He tweeted: “President #MBuhari has signed 16 constitution amendment bills into law. By this signing, State Houses of Assembly & judiciaries now have constitutionally guaranteed financial independence, while railways have moved from Exclusive Legislative List to the concurrent list. “Another landmark change: By virtue of the presidential assent, Nigerian states can now generate,…

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NASS blame governors as Constitution Amendment bid fails

Aminu Imam

The bid by the current National Assembly to effect a fifth alteration to the 1999 Constitution has failed. The leadership of the National Assembly yesterday explained that the insistence of State governors on State Police as a condition for supporting the entire 44 proposed amendments to the Constitution was responsible for the failure of the bid to its amendment. The sum of one billion Naira was approved for the amendment exercise. The 44 Bills transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly seek to, amongst others: strengthen the legislature’s authority to…

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