Nigeria May Consider Prime Minister System, Reserve Seats for Women in National, State Assemblies

Nigeria may be moving closer to a potential shift in its governance structure as the House of Representatives advances a bill proposing the creation of a Prime Minister’s office. The bill, which aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish the Prime Minister as head of government while retaining the President as head of state, has passed its second reading, according to Channels Television.

This bill is among 32 constitutional amendment proposals that cleared the second reading in the House on Wednesday.

Another key amendment seeks to reserve specific seats for women in the National Assembly and state houses of assembly, a move aimed at boosting female representation in governance.

Other bills that progressed include a proposal to shorten the timeline for resolving pre-election petition cases, establish pre-election tribunals, and regulate the suspension of National Assembly members.

Additionally, a bill to revise the eligibility requirements for presidential, governorship, and deputy governorship candidates also passed the second reading.

Further amendments under consideration include a review of the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) status concerning presidential elections and proposals for the creation of Wan State and Gobir State.

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