The House of Representatives on Tuesday declined several proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution, including one that aimed to remove the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from overseeing the registration and regulation of political parties.
This authority would have been transferred to the Office of the Registrar-General of Political Parties.
The legislation, co-sponsored by Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, and Hon. Francis Waive, failed to pass its second reading following a voice vote conducted by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who led the plenary session.
Another bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, which sought to introduce a rotational system for the offices of the President and Vice President among the six geopolitical zones, was also rejected.
Several other proposed constitutional amendments put forward by Rep. Julius Ihonvbere were turned down. These included efforts to enhance local governance oversight, increase the number of Federal High Court judges, extend the court’s jurisdiction to maritime-related issues, and grant the National Judicial Council joint authority to determine judicial remuneration with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Additionally, a bill presented by Rep. Francis Ejiroghene Waive that proposed the creation of Ughelli East Local Government Area in Delta State was also not approved.
Although a few lawmakers expressed support for the measures, the majority voted against them. In the aftermath, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business called for the reconsideration of the vote, suggesting that each bill be addressed individually rather than in a group.
However, Deputy Minority Leader Hon. Ali Jesse, referencing Order 9, Rule 6, pointed out that reversing such a decision would require a formal motion on notice. The Speaker agreed and directed that such a motion be scheduled for the next legislative session.
What you should know
The House’s refusal to advance these constitutional bills highlights the complexities of governance reform in Nigeria, especially concerning power rotation, electoral oversight, and judicial independence.
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