Bill to Establish Prime Minister’s Office Passes Second Reading in House of Reps

A bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to create the office of the Prime Minister as Head of Government and the President as Head of State has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

The proposed amendment, which also outlines the framework for electing individuals into these offices, is part of a broader constitutional review process.

The bill is among 32 constitutional amendment bills that scaled second reading in the House on Thursday.

Other key amendments include a bill to reserve specific seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, aiming to enhance gender representation in governance.

Additionally, lawmakers advanced a bill to shorten the time frame for resolving pre-election petitions by establishing pre-election tribunals. The proposed law also seeks to regulate the process of suspending members of the National Assembly from legislative duties.

Another significant bill that passed second reading proposes changes to the eligibility requirements for presidential, vice-presidential, gubernatorial, and deputy gubernatorial candidates.

Further amendments include a bill reviewing the status of the Federal Capital Territory concerning the election of the President and proposals for the creation of Wan State and Gobir State.

With these latest approvals, the total number of constitutional amendment bills that have cleared the second reading stage now stands at 113.