AKHA Receives State Police Constitutional Amendment Bill, AKSIEC Bill

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Tuesday received a message from the National Assembly transmitting a Bill seeking to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police Services.

The communication formed part of the legislative business during the House plenary in Uyo, coming as the National Assembly resumed the process on constitutional amendments, including the proposed State Police framework, among the issues before the federal legislature.

The House also received a message from the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D., requesting legislative consideration and approval of a Bill for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission.

The proposed commission is expected to provide the institutional framework for the conduct and administration of local government elections in the State, subject to the provisions of the proposed legislation and its subsequent legislative consideration.

In his address, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme J Otong, commended Governor Eno in connection with the State’s 39th anniversary and the projects executed under his administration.

Related: SUNDAY MUSINGS: Beyond the glamour and clamour for State Police

The Speaker said the House had taken note of the Governor’s achievements and acknowledged the need for continued development across the State.

“We commend His Excellency for what he has achieved so far and encourage him to do even more,” the Speaker said.

He noted that the administration still had time to pursue further development initiatives, expressing the expectation that Akwa Ibom would continue to attract people on account of its ongoing development.

“There are still nine months ahead, and then another four years. I am confident that before he leaves office in 2031, Akwa Ibom State will continue to remain a destination of choice for many people, given the progress and development taking place across the State,” Otong said.

The Speaker added that the House’s recognition was intended not only to acknowledge achievements recorded so far but also to encourage the administration to sustain its development efforts.

“So, once again, I congratulate the Governor on his achievements so far. What we have done today is in recognition of what has been accomplished and, more importantly, as an encouragement for the greater things we expect him to do between now and 2031.”

He concluded by wishing the Governor, Akwa Ibom State, the State House of Assembly and the people of the State well.

The Speaker’s official 39th-anniversary address similarly marked September 23, 2026, as the 39th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State.

Meanwhile, three Bills scaled first reading on the floor of the House.

They are:

A Bill for a Law to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Civil Society Organization Registry and Provide for the Harmonisation of Registration and Related Matters, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kufreabasi Edidem.

A Bill for a Law to Regulate Tenancy, Recovery of Premises by Landlords and Operations of Real Estate Agents in Akwa Ibom State, sponsored by the Member representing Uyo State Constituency, Hon. Uwemedimo Asuquo.

A Bill for a Law for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, Protection of the Rights of Persons Affected by Tuberculosis, Prohibition of Tuberculosis-Related Discrimination and for Related Matters, sponsored by the Member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Moses Essien.

The Bills were thereafter listed for further legislative consideration in accordance with the procedures of the House.

The House also adopted two resolutions arising from matters considered during the plenary.

The first concerned the need to revive Adult Education Centres across Akwa Ibom State, while the second was the Report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on its inspection tour of the 31 Local Government Areas of the State.

Following the adoption of the resolutions, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikak Orok, to communicate the decisions to Governor Eno and the relevant government agencies for necessary action.

The agencies to receive the resolutions include the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Commissioner for Education and the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission.

The plenary thus combined consideration of national constitutional reform, state electoral administration, legislative proposals and oversight-related resolutions as the House continued its legislative business.

The House has adjourned it’s plenary to reconvene on Tuesday, October 6, 2026