State Assemblies Await Constitution Review Bills — Guwor

The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, says State Houses of Assembly are awaiting the formal transmission of the Constitution Review resolutions from the National Assembly.

Guwor reacted to the announcement by the Clerk to the National Assembly that the Sixth Alteration Bill, including the proposed State Police Bill, had been transmitted to State Assemblies.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, the Chairman said Speakers had taken note of the development but were still expecting the formal copies of the bills.

“We are still awaiting formal transmission and as soon as we receive it, we will do what will be good for the people of Nigeria”, Guwor stated.

He said the Conference would subject the bills to thorough legislative scrutiny based on their merits once they are received.

Guwor added that the proposal on State Policing requires careful engagement because of its implications for sub-national governance.

The Delta State House of Assembly Speaker also disclosed that the Conference plans to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to harmonise perspectives on the proposed State Policing framework before State Assemblies take their final positions.

According to him, such engagement is important given the constitutional roles of Governors and State Legislatures in the reform process.

Guwor assured that all Speakers would be duly carried along on developments, adding that resolutions reached by the State Assemblies would be communicated to the National Assembly in line with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.