State Houses of Assembly across the country are awaiting the formal transmission of the resolutions and bills arising from the ongoing Constitution review process, the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, has said.
Guwor, who is also the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, spoke against the backdrop of the announcement by the Clerk to the National Assembly that the Sixth Alteration Bills, including the proposed State Police Bill, had been transmitted to State Assemblies.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, the Conference Chairman said the Speakers had taken note of the development but were yet to receive the formal copies required for legislative consideration.
“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 explained that upon receipt of the bills, State Assemblies would subject them to thorough legislative scrutiny, stressing that each proposal would be considered on its merits and in the overall interest of Nigerians.
Guwor said the proposed State Policing framework, in particular, required careful consideration because of its potential implications for sub-national governance and the administration of security at the state level.
According to him, the Conference of Speakers also plans to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to harmonise perspectives on the proposed State Police framework before State Assemblies take their respective final positions.
He noted that consultation between Governors and State Legislatures was important given their respective constitutional responsibilities in the consideration and implementation of constitutional reforms.
The Conference Chairman assured that all Speakers would be carried along throughout the process, adding that resolutions reached by the individual State Assemblies would be formally communicated to the National Assembly in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He reiterated the commitment of the State Legislatures to a constitutional review process that reflects the interests of Nigerians and strengthens the country’s democratic institutions.
