What it means as NASS transmits sixth alteration bill to State Assemblies

Says State assemblies expected to consider the bill, communicate their respective resolutions within 30 days of receipt

nal Assembly has commenced transmission of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ogunlana said the transmission was made pursuant to the directive of the leadership of the national assembly and in accordance with Section 9 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

He said that section 9 of the constitution  provides, among other requirements, that a bill for alteration of the constitution shall not be deemed passed, unless it is approved by resolution of not less than two-thirds of the 36 state houses of assembly.

According to him, the state houses of assembly have been requested to give the bill the requisite consideration in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and to communicate their resolutions to the national assembly upon conclusion.

He noted that the constitution did not prescribe a specific period within which state houses of assembly were required to communicate their resolutions.

“Nevertheless, in the interest of an orderly, coordinated and timely conclusion of the process, the state houses of assembly are expected to consider the bill and communicate their respective resolutions within 30 days of receipt.

“For clarity, the 30-day period is an expected administrative timeframe and does not constitute a constitutional deadline,” he said.

Ogunlana said that the national assembly recognises the constitutional responsibility vested in the state houses of assembly and respects their independence.

He said the transmission was intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of their constitutional role in the process.

“The National Assembly remains committed to ensuring that the constitutional alteration process is conducted in strict compliance with the constitution, due process, institutional cooperation and respect for legislative responsibilities of all tiers of the legislature.”

He said upon receipt of the resolutions, of states houses of assembly, the national assembly would proceed further with necessary steps on the alteration bill in accordance with provisions of the constitution