Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Senate on Wednesday passed the constitutional amendment seeking the establishment of state police, marking a major step in ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.
Lawmakers voted clause by clause on the bill, which aims to allow the creation of state-controlled police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
The proposal will still require approval by state Houses of Assembly if it scales the National Assembly.
The proceedings attracted several high-profile government officials, including 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 were raised about faulty electronic devices that could prevent some lawmakers from participating in the process.
Moving the motion, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the procedure would ensure transparency and guarantee that every senator had the opportunity to vote.
“There is a need to also ensure transparency both within ourselves as people that will be performing this major constitutional responsibility, as well as members of the public.
“Rather than go by way of electronic voting, which obviously is not the case today, and disenfranchise a few or so of our colleagues whose machines are not working.
“I am moving that we give every distinguished senator the opportunity to answer his or her father’s name by doing manual voting,” Bamidele said.
Under the arrangement, senators are required to stand individually, announce their names and publicly declare their positions on the proposed legislation.
The session also witnessed a reversal of an earlier decision barring governors and other senior government officials from observing proceedings from within the chamber.
The request had initially been rejected during a voice vote, resulting in a brief delay as invited guests waited outside the chamber.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio later appealed for a reconsideration, noting that governors were key stakeholders in the constitutional amendment process because any approved bill would ultimately require endorsement by state legislatures.
Following a fresh motion moved by Bamidele and supported by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, the Senate suspended the relevant rule and approved the admission of the invited officials to observe the deliberations.
The development cleared the way for the governors and other senior government functionaries to witness the voting on one of the most consequential constitutional amendments currently before the National Assembly.
