The House of Representatives will on December 10 and 11 vote on a series of far-reaching proposals as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
The proposals, which emerged from months of zonal and national public hearings, cover some of the most debated governance issues in Nigeria, including the establishment of state police, creation of new states, financial autonomy for local government councils, and the reservation of special seats for women in legislative assemblies.
Among the notable items to be considered is the proposal for state police, aimed at decentralising policing to enable states better address local security challenges. Supporters argue it will improve response to insecurity, while critics have raised concerns about possible abuse by state authorities.
The House will also vote on requests for the creation of new states and local government areas, as well as amendments seeking full administrative and financial autonomy for local councils to strengthen grassroots governance.
In a bid to boost inclusion, another proposal seeks to introduce special seats for women in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, addressing Nigeria’s long-standing gender imbalance in political representation.
Other proposed amendments touch on electoral and governance reforms, including provisions aimed at strengthening democratic processes and institutions.
The bills scheduled for voting are part of a reduced list drawn from dozens of proposed amendments submitted to the National Assembly. Lawmakers say only proposals that met constitutional requirements and attracted significant public support made it to this stage.
If approved by the House and the Senate, the amendments will be transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly, where at least two-thirds must endorse each proposal before it can be forwarded for presidential assent.
The December vote is seen as a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s constitutional reform process, with the potential to significantly reshape the country’s governance and political structure.