National Assembly Sends 2026 Constitution Alteration Bill To 36 State Assemblies

The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states for consideration and approval.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the transmission marked the next stage of the constitutional alteration process.

According to the statement, the Bill was transmitted to the state legislatures pursuant to the directive of the National Assembly leadership and in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Section 9 requires constitutional alteration Bills to secure approval by resolutions of not less than two thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states before the National Assembly can proceed with the process.

The Clerk urged the state legislatures to consider the Bill in line with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing their consideration.

While the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period for state Houses of Assembly to communicate their resolutions on constitutional alteration Bills, the National Assembly said the state legislatures are expected, in the interest of an orderly and coordinated process, to conclude their consideration and communicate their positions within 30 days of receiving the Bill.

The statement, however, clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe and not a constitutional deadline.

The National Assembly also said it recognised the constitutional responsibilities and independence of the state legislatures in considering the proposed alterations, stressing that the transmission was intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of their constitutional role.

Ogunlana said the National Assembly remained committed to ensuring that the alteration process complied with the Constitution, due process, institutional cooperation and the legislative responsibilities of all tiers of government.

He added that upon receiving the resolutions of the state Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly would take the necessary steps in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.