Senate Amends Regional Devt Commissions’ Laws

The Senate yesterday amended Acts recently passed by the National Assembly, which established the South East Development Commission (SEDC), South West Development Commission (SWDC), and North West Development Commission (NWDC).

It also amended the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund to align with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

These decisions followed the adoption of recommendations in a motion moved by Senate Leader Sen. Bamidele Opeyemi (Ekiti Central) on Wednesday.

The Senate and House of Representatives had previously passed the bills and forwarded them to the Clerk to the National Assembly for onward transmission to the President for assent.

However, it was later discovered that certain clauses within the bills contradicted constitutional provisions.
Funding provisions for the commissions and the NYSC Trust Fund conflicted with Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which governs revenue allocation.

Senator Bamidele emphasised that Section 1(1) and (3) of the Constitution establishes its supremacy, rendering any law inconsistent with its provisions null and void.

“The Senate should not work in vain and must be seen to uphold the Constitution, just like any other authority or individual in Nigeria”, he said.

Relying on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended), the Senate rescinded its earlier decision and reconsidered the affected clauses.

The amendments impacted Clause 14 of the North West Development Commission (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

“Clause 14 of the South West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2025.

“Clause 15 of the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

“Clause 4(1) of the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2025.”

The Senate reviewed and passed the necessary amendments in the Committee of the Whole, ensuring compliance with constitutional provisions.