Senate Votes on State Police Creation Amid Security Concerns

The Nigerian Senate began voting on a constitutional amendment aimed at creating state police across the country, a significant step in the legislative process to decentralize policing and address growing security concerns. Prominent officials, including Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, attended the plenary session.

The Senate, led by President Godswill Akpabio, adopted a manual voting procedure due to issues with electronic voting devices that had disenfranchised some lawmakers. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved the motion for manual voting to ensure transparency, which was seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.

The Senate reversed an earlier decision to admit senior government officials into the chamber during deliberations on the state police bill, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder participation. The amendment requires approval from state houses of assembly to establish state-controlled police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force.