On Tuesday, the House of Representatives in Nigeria passed a significant bill that allows for independent candidates in elections. This bill was included as part of the constitution alteration bill No. 58.
In addition, the House approved another bill that seeks to include the presiding officers of the National Assembly as members of the National Security Council (NSC). This bill will involve amending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 46 by inserting new provisions to include the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Following the passage of the bills, the House directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to transmit them to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent. The House also called upon the State Houses of Assembly in Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Plateau, and Taraba to provide their input on the bills.
The decision to pass these bills was made after a motion was put forward by Deputy Speaker Hon. Idris Wase, Minority leader Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Hon. Babajimi Benson, and 76 other lawmakers.
The motion recalled a previous directive given to the Clerk to the National Assembly to transmit the Constitution, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 47, which had met the requirements of Section 9(2) of the Constitution, to the President for assent. It also urged the Houses of Assembly of Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Plateau, and Taraba states, which had not yet submitted their resolutions, to do so in compliance with their constitutional obligations.
“The Gombe State House of Assembly has accordingly forwarded its resolution. Convinced that with the approval of Gombe State House of Assembly, the Constitution, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill Nos. 46 (Membership of the National Security Council to include Presiding Officers of the National Assembly), 2023 and 58 (Independent Candidacy), 2023 have met the provisions of Section 9(2) of the Constitution, for passage.”
