The National Assembly has transmitted the 2026 Constitution alteration bill to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration, asking them to communicate their resolutions within 30 days.
However, the National Assembly clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe and not a constitutional deadline.
The transmission was effected on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, following a directive from the leadership of the federal legislature.
The move marks the next stage of the constitutional amendment process, which requires the participation and approval of the state legislatures before the National Assembly can proceed.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ogunlana said the transmission was made pursuant to Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He said the National Assembly had commenced the next phase of the process by sending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval.
Section 9 provides that a bill seeking to alter the Constitution must be approved by at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly before it can be passed by the National Assembly.
The Clerk said the state assemblies had therefore been requested to consider the proposals in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after concluding their deliberations.
30-Day Period Not Constitutional Deadline
The National Assembly said the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period within which State Houses of Assembly must communicate their decisions on constitutional alteration bills.
Nevertheless, Ogunlana said the state legislatures were expected to respond within 30 days of receiving the bill in the interest of an orderly and coordinated process.
“For clarity, the 30-day period is an expected administrative timeframe and does not constitute a constitutional deadline,” the statement said.
The clarification means that failure by a State House of Assembly to communicate its resolution within the 30-day period would not, in itself, amount to a breach of a constitutional deadline.
The state legislatures are expected to independently deliberate on the proposed amendments before forwarding their positions to the National Assembly.
N’Assembly Pledges Respect for State Assemblies
Ogunlana said the transmission of the bill should not be interpreted as an attempt to dictate how the state assemblies should consider the proposals.
“The National Assembly recognises the constitutional responsibility vested in the State Houses of Assembly and respects their independence in the consideration of the Bill. The transmission is intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of their constitutional role in the process.”
He added that the National Assembly remained committed to complying with the constitutional requirements governing the amendment process.
“The National Assembly remains committed to ensuring that the constitutional alteration process is conducted in strict compliance with the Constitution and in accordance with the principles of due process, institutional cooperation and respect for the legislative responsibilities of all tiers of the legislature.”
The Clerk said the next stage of the process would depend on the resolutions transmitted by the state legislatures.
“Upon receipt of the resolutions of the State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly will proceed with the necessary steps in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.”
Unlike ordinary legislation, constitutional amendments require a special procedure under Section 9 of the Constitution, including approval by the National Assembly and ratification by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
