By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has moved into a critical stage of the ongoing constitution review, with 44 harmonised amendment bills now prepared for joint voting by both chambers of the National Assembly.
Speaking during a briefing at the National Assembly on Thursday, House Spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi explained that this phase marks a major step forward, though not the end of the wider reform process, which will continue throughout the tenure of the 10th Assembly. 
Rep. Rotimi, who also chairs the House Committee on Media and Publicity, was accompanied at the briefing by the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Constitutional Review Secretariat, who are supporting the coordination of the amendment process.
He said the review committee deliberately began work early to prevent the usual end-of-tenure rush. With more than half of the Assembly’s lifespan still ahead, he noted that lawmakers have enough time to pursue deeper constitutional reforms.
He disclosed that the committee had received more than 350 amendment proposals from citizens, civil society organisations, legislators, and other stakeholders. These were reviewed in stages, gradually reduced to 80, then 60, before arriving at the final set of 44 bills following joint retreats and technical sessions with the Senate.
Rotimi
He said: “We run a bicameral legislature. So we reached out to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review chaired by Senator Jibrin Barau to ensure we are working with the same versions of each bill”.
The 44 bills span several major reform areas, including local government autonomy, devolution of powers, electoral improvements, state policing, as well as judicial and legislative adjustments.
They also address the strengthening of key national institutions, human rights matters, the role of traditional authorities, and broader fiscal governance issues.
He added that the voting scheduled for last week was delayed after members sought more time to review the proposals and engage with their constituents before taking a position.
“As you know, not every member sits on the Constitution Review Committee. The motion for more time was valid because these are sensitive national amendments. We want every member to vote from a position of full knowledge,” he added.
According to Rotimi, the report has already been laid before the House and the chamber still has few legislative days left before recess, although it would not preempt leadership on when voting will be scheduled.
Responding to a question on a viral social media report alleging the existence of an executive bill to rename Nigeria as the “United States of Nigeria,” the Committee debunked the claim.
“We don’t have any such executive bill before the House. None whatsoever,” the Committee clarified.
It also addressed reports surrounding recent engagements between the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and federal lawmakers. The Committee explained that the meeting focused on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, which is one of the proposals in the current constitution review package.
Addressing concerns that the Committee may miss its target timeline due to the approaching 2025 election cycle, Rotimi insisted it has met its major milestones.
“In January 2024, we promised Nigerians that by December 2025, we would reach key milestones. Those milestones have been met,” he said.
They acknowledged the concern that constitutional work should not clash with early political activities ahead of the 2026 primaries but maintained that the House is still on schedule.
Rotimi further speaking, reminded Nigerians that the National Assembly’s voting is only one step in a complex constitutional process.
“After the federal vote, the amendments must secure approval from two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly before being transmitted to the President for assent.
“So we still have a long journey ahead,” the Committee noted, adding that another wave of amendments may still follow before the end of the 10th Assembly.
He urged Nigerians to visit the constitution review website, review the proposed amendments, and engage their lawmakers.
“This is the essence of inclusive governance. Citizens should reach out to their representatives and express their views on the ongoing proposals,” He added.
