Constitution Review: State Assemblies Await Formal Bills, Seek Governors’ Input On State Police

The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria says state Houses of Assembly are awaiting the formal copies of the constitutional amendment bills transmitted by the National Assembly.

The Chairman of the Conference and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, said the Speakers had taken note of the National Assembly’s announcement that the 2026 Sixth Alteration Bill had been transmitted to the 36 state legislatures. .

Guwor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, said the state legislatures would begin consideration once the documents are formally received.

“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 said.

He said the Conference would subject the proposals to thorough legislative scrutiny, with particular attention to the proposed State Police Bill because of its implications for relations between state institutions.

Guwor also disclosed that the Speakers intend to engage the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to harmonise perspectives on the proposed state policing framework before the state assemblies take their final positions.

He said such engagement was important given the constitutional responsibilities of governors and state legislatures in the amendment process.

The National Assembly transmitted the Sixth Alteration Bill to the 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution. At least 24 of the 36 state legislatures must approve a constitutional alteration before the process can proceed.

The National Assembly has given the state assemblies a 30-day administrative window to consider the proposals and communicate their resolutions, although the period is not a constitutional deadline.

Guwor assured that all Speakers would be carried along throughout the process and that the resolutions of the state assemblies would be transmitted back to the National Assembly in line with Section 9 of the Constitution.