The Abia State House of Assembly ably led by Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji has made history as the first State House of Assembly in Nigeria to complete the 5th alteration of the 1999 Constitution which paved way for full financial autonomy of the Local Government Councils, Judiciary Commission and the State House of Assembly Commission.
Recall that the Senate and the House of Representatives had in March 2022 voted, passed and transmitted 44 Constitution alteration Bills to all the 36 State Houses of Assembly who are expected to pass the fifth alteration for it to become fully operational in the Country.
To amend a clause in the Constitution, two-third or four-fifth majority of each of the Senate and the House has to approve the amendment after which it will be transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly, where two-third or 24 of the 36 of them have to concur ,which is in compliance with Section 9(2) of the Constitution.
The last alteration of the 1999 Constitution was the Fourth alteration which was done in 2018 which altered Section 121, Section 134, Section 179, insertion of Section 225A, Section 137 and Section 182 which barred any person sworn in as President or Governor to complete the term of another person elected as President or Governor from being elected into that office for more than a single term, Provision for the funding of the House of Assembly of States directly from the consolidated revenue fund of the state, make provision for pre- election matters and time for it’s resolution among others.
Members of the current Abia State House of Assembly deserves commendation for making history as the First State House of Assembly in Nigeria to complete the fifth alteration of the 1999 Constitution which seeks full Financial Autonomy for Local Government Areas, State Houses of Assembly and the Judiciary among other Bills, which deals on development, economy, governance and politics.
The House today June 8th Passed the House of Assembly (H.A.B) Bill 57: A Bill for an Act to provide for the Fifth alteration of the 1999 Constitution and for other related matters into Law, becoming the first State House of Assembly to achieve such feat .
Some of the Bills Passed Includes: Local govt administrative autonomy ,Local government financial autonomy, Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to compel persons to obey or comply with Legislative Summons; and for Related Matters, Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Financial Independence of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary; and for Related Matters, Bill to create a special account through which funds for local governments will be paid directly from the federation account, Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to establish Local Government as a Tier of Government and Guarantee their Democratic Existence, Tenure; and for Related Matters, Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Move Airports from Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List; and for Related Matters, Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Ensure Uniformity in the Retirement Age and pension Rights of Judicial Officers of Superior Courts of Records; and for Related Matters e.t.c.
