Constitution alteration passed third reading.

The Senate has at plenary considered the report of the Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution on a bill for an Act to further alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and for other matters connected therewith and approved its recommendations.

Among the affected sections of the constitution tabulated into clauses. In the bill are clauses 2 which mandates the Clerk of the National Assembly to notify INEC when there is vacancy in the Senate and House of Representatives due to death, resignation or recall. The clause 2 which seeks to extend the time for conducting re-run elections.

Other clauses are clause 6 which seeks to empower INEC to deregister political parties for non fulfillment of the provisions of the Constitution and Acts of the National Assembly and clause 7 which confers exclusive jurisdiction on the Federal High Court for violation of the Electoral and election related Acts of the National Assembly.

Clause 8 which seeks to include former President of the Senate and Speakers of House of Representatives as members of the National Council of State, also passed third reading.

Voting was deferred till May 6th, on clause 9 which removed the power of assent of the President in relation to constitution amendment and confers the power on the National Assembly. This was to enable members have proper grasp of the content of the clause and for the Senate to form a quorum as it will take four fifth majority rather than two third to activate the clause.