Constitution Review: Speakers yet to get formal transmission of bills — Conference Chairman
The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Dennis Guwor, has confirmed that the body is ready to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and leadership of the National Assembly over the transmission of the Constitution Review resolutions.
Reacting to the announcement by the Clerk of the National Assembly that the Sixth Alteration Bill, including the State Police Bill, has been transmitted to State Assemblies, Guwor said Speakers have taken note of the development.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, Guwor said State Assemblies are still expecting the formal copies while state Houses of Assembly are also awaiting the copies before engaging the leadership of the NGF.
“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.
The Chairman said the Conference will subject the bills to thorough legislative scrutiny on their merits once received, adding that the proposal on State Policing requires careful engagement given its implications for sub-national governance.
Guwor who is the Speaker of the Delta State Assembly, disclosed that the Conference intends to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, to harmonize perspectives on the proposed State Policing framework before State Assemblies take final positions.
He noted that such engagement is important considering the constitutional roles of Governors and State Legislatures in the reform process.
Guwor assured that all Speakers will be duly carried along on developments and that resolutions of State Assemblies will be communicated to the National Assembly in line with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.