President Buhari signs 16 constitutional amendment bills into law, including financial independence for state houses of assemblies and judiciary, and requiring ministers or commissioners to be nominated within 60 days of taking office. The bills also seek to remove railway, prison, and electricity from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list.
The assented bills will be published in the Official Gazette of Nigeria. The bills also correct names and boundaries of several local government areas and require the government to direct its policy towards ensuring the right to food and food security in Nigeria.
The President also assented to three other bills, including the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology Act and the Nigerian Institute of International Relations Act.
The bill requiring ministers or commissioners to be nominated within 60 days of taking office is a significant step to prevent the delay in the appointment of ministers that occurred when President Buhari first assumed office in 2015. The bills' financial independence for state houses of assemblies and judiciary is expected to give more autonomy to the states and improve the functioning of the democratic system in the country.
The bill seeking to remove railway, prison, and electricity from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list would allow the states to have a say in the management of these sectors. The bill will also allow states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid.
The correction of names and boundaries of several local government areas is expected to end the confusion that has plagued these areas. The bill requiring the government to direct its policy towards ensuring the right to food and food security in Nigeria is a welcome development, given the rising food prices in the country.
The President's assent to the bills is seen as a significant step towards improving the country's democratic system and promoting good governance. The bills will also help to address some of the challenges facing the country, including insecurity, poverty, and corruption.
President-Elect Bola Tinubu's promise to appoint competent persons across the country is expected to enhance the country's development, as it will ensure that qualified individuals from different regions are appointed to serve in the government.