The House of Representatives on Thursday 27th March 2025 advanced several significant bills, including one to establish statutory backing for Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Imo State. The bill, jointly sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abass and Ideato Federal Constituency representative Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, passed its second reading.

Another major development was the passage of a bill seeking to create an additional local government area in Imo State, to be known as Ideato West Local Government Area, with Umunnaebemano as its headquarters. This also scaled through its second reading.

In a push for inclusive governance, a bill to amend the constitution and mandate the inclusion of youths and persons living with disabilities in political appointments, sponsored by Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, passed its second reading. The lawmaker also championed a bill to move trade and commerce to the concurrent legislative list, aimed at boosting interstate commerce, which similarly progressed.

Additionally, the House considered a bill seeking to raise the minimum educational qualification for presidential, vice presidential, governorship, and deputy governorship candidates from a Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) to a bachelor’s degree. This bill, also sponsored by Ugochinyere, passed its second reading.

The legislative moves mark a significant step in addressing educational, administrative, and political reforms, with further deliberations expected as the bills proceed through the legislative process.