N’Assembly transmits 2026 Constitution amendment Bill to 36 states By Musa Luka Musa The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval. The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the transmission followed a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly. He said the action was taken in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates 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. Ogunlana urged the state legislatures to consider the Bill in line with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after concluding deliberations. He said although the Constitution does not prescribe a specific timeframe for state assemblies to communicate their decisions on constitutional alteration Bills, they are expected to do so within 30 days of receiving the Bill. He, however, clarified that the 30-day period was an administrative timeframe and not a constitutional deadline. “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 statement said. It added that the transmission was aimed at facilitating the orderly discharge of the state assemblies’ constitutional responsibilities in the amendment process. According to the statement, the National Assembly would proceed with the next steps upon receiving the resolutions of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, in line with the provisions of the Constitution. The National Assembly also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the constitutional alteration process complied with the Constitution and the principles of due process, institutional cooperation and respect for the legislative responsibilities of all tiers of government.