The House of Representatives is reviewing a proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution that would limit the president’s ministerial appointments to 37, ensuring one minister per state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The bill, sponsored by Mansur Soro (Bauchi) and Usman Zannah (Borno), seeks to amend Section 147 (1) of the Constitution to read: “There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation, not exceeding 37, as may be established by the President.”
Currently, the Federal Executive Council under President Bola Tinubu has 45 ministers, including Ministers of State, which the proponents argue inflates governance costs and leads to overlapping duties.
Key Points of the Bill
- Cost Efficiency: Streamlining ministerial positions aims to reduce government spending.
- Equity in Representation: The bill addresses the imbalance in cabinet composition, such as Ogun State having four ministers compared to other states with only one.
- Enhanced Governance: A leaner cabinet is expected to improve efficiency and eliminate role duplication.
Soro, in defense of the bill, noted that technocrats and politicians could be accommodated in other federal agencies or parastatals, negating the need for multiple ministers from a single state.
In addition to this proposal, the Constitution Review Committee, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, is also evaluating an amendment to enforce federal character principles in appointing principal officers of the National Assembly.
