National Assembly Commends Abia Speaker, Members over passage of Constitutional amendment Bills

The National Assembly comprising of the Senate and the House of Representatives has commended the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji and the entire members of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly on the successful consideration and approval of the Constitutional Amendment Bills.

The commendation came through the Special Ad-hoc Committees of the National Assembly on the review of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to the National Assembly Committees who took cognizance of the provisions of sections 8 and 9 of the constitution which makes the State House of Assembly critical partners of the National Assembly in processing the Bills, the Abia State House of Assembly has demonstrated great courage and capacity by being the first State Assembly in the Country to do so.

Continuing, it noted that the Abia State House of Assembly has made do with the promise of the Legislative arm to Nigerians during the National Public Hearing by graciously considering and approving the Constitutional Amendment Bills.

The 5th Alteration of the 1999 Constitution by the Abia State House of Assembly is part of the fulfilment of the long-term desire and clamour of Nigerians for a constitution that guarantees the practice of true federalism both at the federal and state levels.

The 5th Alteration of the Constitution as passed by the National Assembly in March requires the concurrence of, at least, two third of the 36 State Houses of Assembly to take effect nationwide after receiving Presidential assent and credit must be given to the Abia State House of Assembly for being the first State House of Assembly for once again writing her name in the list of ‘firsts’.

The 7th Abia State House of Assembly under the Leadership of the Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji on Wednesday, 8th June, 2022 made history by becoming the first State House of Assembly in Nigeria to pass the 5th Alteration of the 1999 Constitution Amendment Bill into Law.

The law which will come into force with the consideration and approval of at least two third of the 36 State Houses of Assembly will ensure full financial and administrative autonomy for the State Legislature, the State Judiciary and the 774 Local Government Area Councils in Nigeria.

The Abia State House of Assembly is also notable for being the first State Assembly in Nigeria to pass the Diaspora Commission Law.