The National Assembly has commenced the 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.
According to Ogunlana, the transmission was carried out following the directive of the leadership of the National Assembly and in line with the provisions of Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Two-Thirds State Approval Required
Ogunlana explained that constitutional alteration bills must receive approval from not less than two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before they can be considered passed.
He said the state legislatures had been requested to consider the bill according to their respective legislative procedures and communicate their decisions to the National Assembly after completion.
States Given 30-Day Expected Timeline
The Clerk noted that the Constitution does not specify a fixed period within which State Houses of Assembly must communicate their resolutions on constitutional alteration bills.
However, he said the National Assembly expects the state legislatures to complete consideration and communicate their positions within 30 days of receiving the bill.
He clarified that the timeframe was only an administrative expectation and not a constitutional deadline.
“For clarity, the 30-day period is an expected administrative timeframe and does not constitute a constitutional deadline,” Ogunlana said.
NASS Recognises State Assemblies’ Independence
The National Assembly said it recognises the constitutional role and independence of State Houses of Assembly in the amendment process.
Ogunlana said the transmission was aimed at supporting an orderly process and enabling state legislatures to perform their constitutional responsibilities.
He added that the National Assembly remained committed to ensuring that the constitutional amendment process followed due process, institutional cooperation and respect for legislative responsibilities at all levels.
Next Steps After State Decisions
The Clerk said that after receiving the resolutions from the State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly would take further steps on the alteration bill in accordance with constitutional provisions.
