A bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to provide for the office of the Prime Minister as head of government and the office of President as head of state and to provide for a framework for the mode of election to the said offices, has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill is part of 32 constitutional amendment proposals that moved forward during Thursday’s legislative session.
Among the amendments is a proposal to allocate specific seats for women in the National Assembly and state legislatures.
Another bill aims to shorten the time required for resolving pre-election disputes by establishing dedicated pre-election tribunals, while also setting guidelines for suspending members of the National Assembly.
Also, lawmakers advanced a bill that seeks to modify the eligibility criteria for candidates vying for the positions of President, Vice President, Governor, and Deputy Governor.
Other amendments under consideration include a review of the Federal Capital Territory’s status in presidential elections, as well as proposals for the creation of Wan State and Gobir State.
With this latest development, the total number of constitutional amendment bills that have passed the second reading in the House now stands at 113.