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Big Moves in the House: President and Governors Might Lose Power to Call New Legislative Sessions

Hey there, let me tell you something interesting happening in Nigeria's House of Representatives. A bill that could change the game has passed the second reading along with 38 other proposed laws. This particular bill is all about taking away the President’s and governors’ ability to officially start new legislative sessions for both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. Right now, under the 1999 Constitution, they're the ones who kick things off with proclamations, which are then read by the Clerks. Without these official declarations, the legislative bodies just can't get started, leaving the entire system in limbo.

Now, this isn't the only big-ticket item moving forward. Another major bill is all about fixing our electoral system. The goal here? To make sure all election disputes are settled before the winners take their seats. That's a pretty big deal when you think about it, right? It's like making sure all the ducks are in a row before anyone celebrates victory.

What Else is on the Table?

There's a whole bunch of other important bills, too. Some are pushing for state police, which could give more power to local authorities. Others advocate for special legislative seats for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and ensure representation for various interest groups. All these bills are part of a broader effort to strengthen our democracy and make it more inclusive for everyone.

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During a recent session, the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, asked to temporarily suspend the rules so all these bills could be read together. No one objected, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu gave the green light for this unusual but efficient move. The bills were then grouped into six categories: 13 focused on electoral matters, 10 on judicial reform, seven on legislative changes, three on inclusive governance, one on security, and five covering other important issues.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen's Big Move

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen has thrown his hat into the ring with a bill that could reshape how judicial heads are removed. This proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution would make the National Judicial Council's (NJC) recommendations mandatory for any removal of a court head by the President or a governor. It’s a bold move aimed at strengthening the independence of the judiciary.

Another fascinating proposal is the creation of an Ecclesiastical Court of Appeal for the entire country, including all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). On top of that, there's a push to make the Court of Appeal the final word on governorship and legislative election disputes. These changes could streamline the legal process and reduce delays in resolving election-related issues.

Electoral Reforms and More

There's plenty more where that came from. Some of the bills aim to fine-tune the timelines within the Electoral Act, ensuring smoother elections. There's also a proposal that members of Parliament who want to switch political parties must first resign from their positions. That's a pretty strong stance on party loyalty, wouldn't you say?

Other changes include expanding the Court of Appeal's jurisdiction to include election petitions from governorship and deputy governorship races. There’s also a push to give the National Assembly the authority to adjust timelines for election tribunals and enforce the resignation of party executives running for elected office. Talk about shaking things up!

One Election Day for Everyone?

And if you thought that was all, there's more. There's a call for constitutional amendments to hold presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and House of Assembly elections all on the same day. This would be determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in consultation with the National Assembly. Imagine the logistics of that! But hey, it could make the whole process more efficient and save a ton of resources.

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So there you have it—big moves in the legislative world that could reshape the political landscape in Nigeria. Stay tuned to see how it all plays out!