Senate set to vote on State Police Bill, other key constitutional amendments [FULL LIST]

The Nigerian Senate is preparing to vote on the controversial State Police Bill, along with six other significant constitutional amendments. This move reflects the Senate’s commitment to reforming the nation’s governance structure by addressing issues such as the devolution of powers, electoral and judicial reforms, citizenship rights, and increased state autonomy.

Among the proposed amendments under consideration are several key measures. One aims to place the Armed Forces of the Federation on a constitutional “first-line charge,” ensuring direct access to funding from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Another proposal seeks to grant constitutional recognition and financial autonomy to traditional rulers through the establishment of State Councils of Traditional Rulers.

Additional initiatives include the introduction of independent candidacy for elected offices, such as governorship and local government positions. The establishment of a constitutionally-backed Electoral Offences Commission is also on the agenda, intended to investigate and prosecute election-related crimes.

Other proposed amendments would require courts to automatically convert death sentences for pregnant women to life imprisonment, provided that their pregnancy is verified. Furthermore, the amendments would outlaw the public parade of criminal suspects by law enforcement, deeming it “inhuman and degrading treatment,” and bolster the constitutional presumption of innocence.

The reforms aim to strengthen local government autonomy, expand children’s rights protections, enhance the independence of electoral institutions, devolve more powers to state governments, and improve fiscal accountability while providing greater constitutional backing to essential democratic institutions.

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