The Nigerian Senate is set to vote on the contentious State Police Bill and six other key constitutional amendments
The move is in line with the Senate’s resolve to overhaul the country’s governance structure and bring to light the devolution of powers, electoral and judicial reforms, citizenship rights, and greater state autonomy.
DAILY POST reports that some of the constitutional amendments, aside from the State Police Establishment Bill, to be considered by the Red Chamber, include: “Placing the Armed Forces of the Federation on a constitutional ‘first-line charge,’ guaranteeing direct access to funding from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
“Granting constitutional recognition and financial autonomy to traditional rulers through the establishment of State Councils of Traditional Rulers.
“Introduction of independent candidacy for governorship, legislative and local government elections.
“Establishment of a constitutionally-backed Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute election-related crimes.
“Constitutional amendments requiring courts to automatically commute death sentences imposed on pregnant women to life imprisonment, where pregnancy is established to the satisfaction of the court.
“Outlawing the public parade of criminal suspects by law enforcement agencies, declaring the practice a form of “inhuman and degrading treatment” and strengthening the constitutional presumption of innocence and strengthening local government autonomy, expanding children’s rights protections, improving the independence of electoral institutions, devolving more powers to states, enhancing fiscal accountability, and granting greater constitutional backing to key democratic institutions.”