BREAKING: Senate Begins Clause-by-Clause Voting on State Police Bill as Governors, Gbajabiamila Observe Proceedings

By Abigail David

ABUJA — The Senate on Wednesday commenced manual voting on a proposed constitutional amendment seeking the establishment of state police across Nigeria, marking a significant stage in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.

Lawmakers are voting clause by clause on the bill, which aims to decentralise policing and strengthen security management at the subnational level amid growing concerns over insecurity across the country.

Among dignitaries present in the Senate chamber to observe the proceedings were Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The Senate adopted manual voting after concerns that malfunctioning electronic devices could prevent some lawmakers from participating in the process. Under the arrangement, senators are required to stand individually, announce their names and publicly state their positions on the proposed legislation.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who moved the motion for manual voting, said the measure was necessary to ensure transparency and prevent any senator from being disenfranchised. The motion was seconded by Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro.

The chamber also reversed an earlier decision and approved the admission of governors and other senior government officials to observe the debate. The request had initially been rejected through a voice vote in line with Senate rules restricting access to the chamber floor.

Proceedings were briefly delayed as invited guests waited outside the chamber before Senate President Godswill Akpabio appealed to lawmakers to reconsider the decision.

Akpabio argued that governors should be allowed to witness the deliberations, noting that any amendment creating state police would require approval by state Houses of Assembly. He also emphasised that the proposal originated from the executive arm of government.

Following the appeal, the Senate suspended relevant provisions of its rules and approved the admission of the invited officials, allowing them to observe the ongoing clause-by-clause consideration of the bill.

If approved by the National Assembly and endorsed by the required number of state legislatures, the amendment would pave the way for the establishment of state-controlled police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force.