House of Reps Passes State Police Bill Amid Controversy

The House of Representatives passed the State Police Bill after adopting the report from its Committee on Constitution Review, with 211 lawmakers voting in support during plenary. Benjamin Kalu, Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, presented the report, stating that the bill would strengthen Nigeria's security architecture and urged members to vote in favor.

In contrast, the Minority Caucus, led by Minority Leader Frederick Agbedi, condemned the passage process, alleging it breached the 1999 Constitution and House Standing Orders. Agbedi claimed that the caucus supports the creation of state police but rejected the method used for the bill's passage, which he argued did not allow for proper debate or individual voting.

He stated that constitutional alteration bills should be considered clause by clause, requiring two-thirds support for each provision. The Minority Caucus staged a walkout due to these grievances, asserting their protest was against the procedure, not the proposal itself.