NASS TRANSMITS SIXTH ALTERATION BILL TO 36 STATE ASSEMBLIES
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026, to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states for consideration and approval.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, transmitted the bill on Wednesday, September 16, following a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly and in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Section 9 requires a constitutional alteration bill to secure the approval of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before the amendment process can proceed.
Ogunlana asked the state legislatures to consider the bill in line with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing their deliberations.
He said the Constitution does not set a specific deadline for the state assemblies to respond. However, the National Assembly expects them to communicate their resolutions within 30 days of receiving the bill.
Ogunlana clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe and does not constitute a constitutional deadline. He also stressed that the National Assembly recognises the independence and constitutional responsibility of the State Houses of Assembly in considering the proposed amendments.
The National Assembly said it would take the necessary next steps after receiving the resolutions of the state legislatures.