The House of Representatives on Monday rejected multiple constitutional amendment bills, including proposals to institutionalize rotational presidency and transfer the power to register political parties away from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
One of the key bills, co-sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Francis Waive, sought to amend the 1999 Constitution by stripping INEC of its authority to register and regulate political parties. The proposal aimed to assign this responsibility to a newly created Office of the Registrar-General of Political Parties. The bill was, however, voted down during a voice vote presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Another high-profile bill, championed by Deputy Speaker Kalu himself, sought to enshrine the principle of zonal rotation for the presidency and vice presidency among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones—North-Central, North-East, North-West, South-East, South-South, and South-West. That proposal also failed to gain the support of the majority.
Several other constitution amendment bills were similarly rejected:
- A bill by Julius Ihonvbere to establish independent Offices of State Auditors-General for Local Governments and FCT Area Councils, aimed at strengthening grassroots accountability and fiscal oversight.
- Another of Ihonvbere’s bills proposing to increase the number of Federal High Court judges to a minimum of 100 and expand the court’s jurisdiction to cover maritime matters, inland waterways, and federal ports.
- A proposal empowering the National Judicial Council (NJC) to set salaries and allowances for judicial officers, in coordination with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
- A bill sponsored by Francis Waive seeking the creation of Ughelli East Local Government Area in Delta State.
While some lawmakers expressed support for individual provisions, the collective vote ultimately went against all the bills. Calls to reconsider the blanket rejection were made by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, who urged that the proposals be treated individually.
However, Deputy Minority Leader Ali Jesse invoked Order 9, Rule 6, noting that rescinding a vote must follow formal procedures—specifically through a substantive motion on notice.
Speaker Abbas agreed with the procedural point and directed the Committee on Rules and Business to schedule the motion for reconsideration on the next legislative day.
