By Abigail David
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the State Police Bill, marking a significant step toward the decentralisation of Nigeria’s policing system.
The bill was approved during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, with 289 lawmakers voting in favour and one against. The Speaker did not cast a vote.
The House had set aside Thursday’s sitting to consider the proposal amid growing concerns over insecurity, including rising cases of killings, kidnappings and banditry across the country.
Proceedings witnessed brief drama when Kaduna lawmaker Bashir Zubairu raised a point of order, arguing that members received the committee’s report on the bill only hours before the session and had insufficient time to study it.
Zubairu’s objection was overruled, allowing deliberations to continue. While the Speaker guided members through the provisions of the bill, attempts by some lawmakers to raise further points of order were not entertained.
Before voting commenced, Abbas announced that the electronic voting system was faulty and directed that the exercise be conducted based on members present in the chamber.
Out of the 290 lawmakers in attendance, 289 supported the bill, while one voted against it.
The passage of the bill represents a major milestone in ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture through the establishment of state-controlled police forces.
