The House of Representatives, at Thursday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, undertook the consideration of key constitutional and legislative reforms. Members advanced significant measures on economic governance and national security, approved Committee reports, received new legislative proposals, considered Matters of Urgent Public Importance and public petitions, and took decisions on matters relating to disaster response and parliamentary representation.
BILLS AND LEGISLATIVE PROGRESSION
Constitutional Reform
State Police Bill
The House passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill providing for the establishment of State Police Services across the federation. The development marks a significant milestone in the ongoing constitutional amendment process aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture through a decentralised policing framework.
Third Reading
The House also passed 18 other Bills at Third Reading, including the National Human Rights Commission (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, the Department of State Services Research and Development Bureau Bill, four Bills to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and anti-corruption framework, two Bills on fisheries education and research, four healthcare institution establishment Bills, and six Bills establishing Federal Institutes of Mining and Geosciences across the country.
Following their passage, the Bills will be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence, where applicable, before being forwarded for Presidential assent in accordance with the legislative process.
Second Reading
The House debated the general principles of six Bills aimed at strengthening financial governance, revenue administration, and emerging technologies. Following debate, the Bills were read a Second Time and referred to the relevant Standing Committees for further legislative scrutiny.
First Reading
The House also received seven Bills for First Reading, including the Basic Registry and Information System (Establishment) Bill and six other legislative proposals.
Report Presentation
The House received three Committee reports, including the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on preparedness for the proposed nationwide ban on single-use plastics, alongside two other legislative reports for further consideration.
MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE AND PETITIONS
Road Infrastructure
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Works to compel Metropolitan Construction Company Limited to return to site and expedite the execution and completion of the Langtang–Wase–Bashar Road and Bridge Project in Plateau State. It further mandated the Committees on Works, Appropriations, and Legislative Compliance to investigate the delayed execution of the Federal Executive Council-approved contracts, identify funding options for the immediate execution of the project, monitor compliance with the House’s resolutions, and report back to the House.
Security and Rescue Operations
The House commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State. It further urged security agencies to sustain coordinated, intelligence-led operations to secure the release of all Nigerians still in captivity, particularly schoolchildren abducted in Borno State, while strengthening security around schools and vulnerable communities.
Disaster Response
The House called for urgent Federal Government intervention following the devastating floods in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency of Ondo State. It urged the provision of emergency relief and rehabilitation for affected residents, as well as the rehabilitation of drainage infrastructure, dredging of River Olore, and implementation of sustainable flood control measures to mitigate future flooding.
Citizens’ Petitions
Members laid two public petitions before the House, which were referred to the Committee on Public Petitions for investigation and further legislative action.
PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
Cross Carpeting
The House was notified of the defection of Rep. Ahmed Yusuf Doro from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the communication was duly recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
Vacancy Declaration
Pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution, the Speaker declared the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency seat vacant following the death of the late Rep. Yaya Bauchi Tongo (ADC, Gombe).
The proceedings reaffirmed the House’s commitment to constitutional reform, responsive lawmaking, effective legislative oversight, institutional accountability, and policies that strengthen national security, economic governance, infrastructure development, and sustainable national development.
