The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria says State Houses of Assembly are awaiting the formal transmission of the resolutions and bills arising from the ongoing Constitution review by the National Assembly.
Chairman of the Conference and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, said the Speakers had taken note of the announcement by the Clerk to the National Assembly that the Sixth Alteration Bill, including the proposed State Police Bill, had been transmitted to the state legislatures.
Guwor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, said the State Assemblies were yet to receive the formal copies of the bills.
“We are still awaiting formal transmission and as soon as we receive it, we will do what will be good for the people of Nigeria,” Guwor stated.
He said the Conference would subject the bills to thorough legislative scrutiny based on their merits once they are formally received.
According to him, the proposal for the establishment of State Police requires careful consideration because of its potential implications for sub-national governance and the constitutional responsibilities of state institutions.
Guwor also disclosed that the Conference plans to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to harmonise perspectives on the proposed State Policing framework before State Assemblies take their final positions.
He explained that the engagement would be important given the constitutional roles of state governors and legislatures in the proposed reform.
The Conference Chairman assured that all Speakers would be kept abreast of developments as the process progresses.
He further stated that resolutions reached by the State Houses of Assembly would be communicated to the National Assembly in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
