The House of Representatives was divided on the passing of the State Police bill on Thursday, leading to the minority caucus staging a walkout as the rest of the house passed the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026.
The walkout, we gather, stemmed from accusations by the members of the minority caucus towards the House leadership of ignoring due process during consideration of the legislation.
The bill seeks to create a constitutional framework for the establishment of state police services across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country's security system.
It will still require harmonisation with the Senate version, approval by at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly and presidential assent before it becomes law.
The protest began after Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the bill to a voice vote instead of considering its 26 clauses separately. Minority Leader Frederick Agbedi repeatedly attempted to raise a point of order but was not recognised before the Speaker declared that the "ayes" had prevailed.
Speaking after the walkout, Agbedi said, "We are not against state police.
"Whatever will help address insecurity in this country, we will support.
"But every action of Parliament must follow due process."
He added that the House Standing Orders require each clause of a constitutional amendment bill to be considered and approved separately by a two-thirds majority, arguing that lawmakers were denied the opportunity to examine individual provisions or propose amendments.
Defending the process, Abbas said, "A total of 276 honourable members signed the attendance register in support of the police bill while 35 more voted online.
"This brings the number of lawmakers in support of the state police bill to 311."
"What is required to pass a bill is two-thirds of our members, which is 240," the Speaker said.
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