The House of Representatives is evaluating a proposal to increase its membership from 360 to 366. This proposal, introduced by House spokesperson Akintunde Rotimi, aims to allocate six special seats for women and individuals with disabilities.
To implement this, the proposal seeks to amend Section 49 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic (as amended). The bill, titled “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) (Six Special Seats for Special Interest Groups) Bill, 2024 (HB.1811),” was presented for its initial reading during Wednesday’s plenary session.
If approved, the amendment would expand the House’s representatives to 366, with the additional six seats specifically designated for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Additionally, the House of Representatives has decided to investigate the federal government’s approval for constructing an airstrip at Canaanland, the headquarters of Living Faith Church.
This investigation follows a motion by Sulaiman Abubakar Mahmud Gummi, who raised concerns that permitting private entities to build airstrips could lead to illegal activities, such as the smuggling of firearms and drugs, as well as money laundering, exacerbating issues like insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping in the country.
The House has also urged the Minister of Aviation to halt the issuance of airstrip licenses to private individuals and to revoke any licenses that have already been granted to private entities or organizations.
