National Assembly sends 2026 constitution amendment bill to 36 State Assemblies

The National Assembly has transmitted the 2026 Constitution Amendment Bill to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval.

The Bill, titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was forwarded to the state legislatures following a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly.

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

Ogunlana said the transmission was in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly to approve a Bill seeking to alter the Constitution before the National Assembly can proceed with the amendment process.

He urged the state legislatures to consider the Bill in line with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after concluding deliberations.

According to the Clerk, the Constitution does not prescribe a specific deadline for State Houses of Assembly to communicate their decisions on constitutional amendment Bills.

However, he said the state legislatures are expected to respond within 30 days of receiving the Bill.

Ogunlana clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe and should not be interpreted as a constitutional deadline.

“The National Assembly recognises the constitutional responsibility vested in the State Houses of Assembly and respects their independence in the consideration of the Bill,” the statement said.

The National Assembly explained that the transmission was aimed at enabling the 36 state legislatures to carry out their constitutional responsibilities in an orderly manner.

It said the next steps in the amendment process would be determined after the National Assembly receives the resolutions of the State Houses of Assembly, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

The federal lawmakers also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the constitutional amendment process is conducted within the framework of the law, due process and institutional cooperation.

They further stressed the importance of respecting the legislative responsibilities and independence of the different tiers of government throughout the process.

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