The Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Mr Akin Rotimi, has announced that the National Assembly will begin voting on constitution review amendments this month.
Mr. Rotimi, who also chairs the House Committee on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria in Abuja.
He explained that the proposed amendments cover more than 40 key areas, including state police, gender inclusivity, electoral reforms, and local government autonomy.
“The Constitution Amendment bills… we have to amend the ground norm—the Nigerian Constitution, 1999, as amended. We’ve gone quite some distance with that, and we actually have a subcommittee particularly working on the issue of state policing.
It is going to be one of the 40-plus Constitution Amendment proposals that will come up for voting as early as the first or second week of December,” he said.
He added that the National Assembly is fully committed to its constitutional responsibilities and is responding to President Bola Tinubu’s call for urgent legislative action.
“These issues, particularly on state policing, will be voted on within the month of December,” he assured.
Mr. Rotimi expressed optimism that the amendments will drive reforms capable of delivering the much-needed socio-economic development and addressing Nigeria’s current challenges.
“To ensure that states are able to have their own police… is a key part of solving ongoing crises, allowing for a multi-layer policing system that promotes community security at sub-national levels,” he noted.
On Nigeria’s security situation, the House Spokesperson stated that the legislature is deeply concerned about ongoing threats and is working closely with relevant stakeholders to address them.
He highlighted the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s efforts to curb insecurity.
“Following developments in the United States—both in Congress and the executive arm—designating Nigeria as a country of particular concern, we felt that the Nigerian parliament must also respond. That is why, for the past few days, all our plenary sessions have been devoted strictly to debating issues of peace and security in Nigeria,” he explained.
Mr. Rotimi commended President Tinubu for his swift response to calls for the recruitment of additional security personnel.
He expressed confidence that those sponsoring insecurity in the country will soon be uncovered and brought to justice.
Reporting by Tanimu Salihu