Abuja, March 25, 2025 – In a landmark move toward reshaping Nigeria’s governance framework, the House of Representatives has passed 39 constitutional amendment bills through their second reading, signaling an ambitious effort to address long-standing issues in the nation’s political, judicial, and electoral systems. The legislative marathon, which unfolded on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as confirmed by reports from *Daily Post Nigeria* and *Naija News*, reflects the 10th Assembly’s determination to tackle systemic challenges ranging from security and electoral integrity to inclusivity and accountability.
The bills, debated and approved under the leadership of Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, span a wide array of reforms. Among the most notable is a proposal to establish state and local government police forces, a measure aimed at decentralizing Nigeria’s security apparatus to better address regional challenges. Another bill mandates that general elections for the President, state governors, National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly, and local government councils be held simultaneously on a single date, a move proponents argue will streamline the electoral process and reduce costs.
Judicial reforms also took center stage, with a bill designating the Court of Appeal as the final arbiter in governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly election petitions, potentially expediting dispute resolutions. Additionally, a proposal to vest the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the authority to conduct local government elections seeks to wrest control from state electoral commissions, a change advocates say will enhance transparency and fairness at the grassroots level.
Inclusivity emerged as a key theme, with bills proposing special legislative seats for physically challenged persons and six reserved seats for special interest groups in the House of Representatives. These measures aim to amplify marginalized voices in Nigeria’s political landscape. Meanwhile, governance reforms include requiring political party executives to resign before contesting elective positions and mandating official resignation from a party before lawmakers can defect, addressing the perennial issue of political opportunism.
The House also turned its attention to financial oversight, passing bills to rename the Auditor-General of the Federation to Auditor-General of the Federal Government, grant financial autonomy to the office, and strengthen its mandate. Another significant proposal establishes the Political Parties Registration and Regulatory Commission to oversee party operations, aiming to curb internal irregularities.
While the passage of these 39 bills marks a critical step, it is part of a broader legislative effort. By March 27, 2025, the House had advanced a total of 113 constitutional amendment bills through the second reading, according to *TV360 Nigeria*. This rapid pace underscores the urgency felt by lawmakers to deliver reforms ahead of the 2027 election cycle. However, the process is far from complete. Each bill must secure a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, followed by approval from at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 state Houses of Assembly, before being sent to the President for assent.
Public reaction has been mixed. Supporters hail the reforms as a bold step toward a more democratic and accountable Nigeria, while critics caution that the lack of extensive debate during the second reading—many bills were passed without discussion—raises questions about thoroughness. The bills have been referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further scrutiny, with zonal and national public hearings planned to gather citizen input.
As Nigeria stands at this constitutional crossroads, the coming months will test the resolve of its lawmakers and the inclusivity of the amendment process. For now, the House of Representatives has set the stage for a transformative debate, one that could redefine the nation’s governance for generations to come.
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