The House of Representatives passed a constitutional amendment bill to establish state police, with 311 lawmakers voting in favour — 276 physically present, 35 participating virtually — but the process triggered a walkout by the minority caucus in protest.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, presiding as Committee of the Whole chairman, put the 26-clause bill to a single voice vote rather than clause-by-clause consideration, prompting Minority Leader Fred Agbedi to argue this violated both the Constitution’s Section 9(2) and House Standing Order 13.15(a), which require individual clause votes for constitutional alterations. Agbedi said he was ruled out of order without being heard when he attempted to raise the objection.
Agbedi stressed the caucus supports state police in principle but rejected the procedure, saying members were denied the chance to propose amendments. Speaker Abbas defended the bill as a “panacea” for insecurity that would deepen federalism.
The bill, originally transmitted by President Tinubu, passed the Senate four weeks earlier. It now heads toward reconciliation between both chambers before further constitutional ratification steps.
Also read: South-East governors support Tinubu’s re-election – Uzodinma
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