By Hassanat Adebowale
The House of Representatives has passed several constitutional amendment bills for second reading, focusing on issues such as the death penalty, local government reforms, and citizenship. The bills, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Rep. Benjamin Kalu, were presented during Tuesday’s plenary session by Majority Leader Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC-Edo).
One of the proposed amendments seeks to review penalties for certain capital offenses to align with international best practices. This bill aims to modernize Nigeria’s approach to the death penalty and related matters.
Another bill targets reforms in local government administration, proposing a robust legal framework to enhance administrative efficiency, transparency, and accountability. The amendment also seeks to deepen democratic practices at the local government level, ensuring better governance and service delivery.
The House also considered a bill to alter the Constitution to guarantee indigene status to individuals based on birth, continuous residence of at least 10 years, or marriage. This proposal aims to address long-standing issues surrounding indigene and citizenship rights in Nigeria.
Additionally, a bill was introduced to include citizenship by investment as a new category of Nigerian citizenship. This amendment would allow qualified foreign investors who meet specific investment thresholds to acquire Nigerian citizenship, potentially boosting economic growth and foreign investment.
Another significant proposal seeks to include tourism and tourism-related matters on the Concurrent Legislative List. This amendment aims to promote the development of Nigeria’s tourism sector by granting both federal and state governments the authority to legislate on tourism-related issues.
The passage of these bills for second reading marks a critical step in the legislative process, as they now move to the committee stage for further deliberation and refinement.
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