The House of Representatives Minority Caucus on Thursday staged a walkout during plenary in protest against proceedings on the Tinubu State Police Bill, even as the chamber approved the constitutional amendment with an overwhelming majority.
Information obtained by Valid9ja indicates that 311 lawmakers voted in favour of the proposed amendment during the voting process. The development marks another significant step in the ongoing constitutional review aimed at creating a legal framework for state policing in Nigeria.
The protest by the Minority Caucus briefly drew attention during the sitting, as its members exited the chamber in disagreement with the process surrounding the consideration of the bill. However, plenary continued, and voting proceeded, resulting in the amendment securing the required support from members present.
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The Tinubu State Police Bill forms part of broader constitutional amendment efforts intended to address Nigeria’s security challenges through the establishment of state-controlled police services.
Supporters of state policing argue that decentralising law enforcement would enable quicker responses to security threats and improve intelligence gathering at the local level. They also believe state governments are better positioned to understand and tackle security issues within their jurisdictions.
However, critics have repeatedly expressed concerns that state police could be abused by political office holders if adequate constitutional safeguards are not put in place. These concerns have remained central to debates on the proposal over the years.
The Minority Caucus’ decision to walk out underscored the divisions that still exist over the constitutional amendment. While the lawmakers chose not to remain in the chamber during the proceedings, the House continued with its legislative business and concluded the vote.
As of the time of filing this report, the caucus had not publicly released a detailed statement explaining the specific reasons for the walkout beyond its protest during plenary.
The approval by 311 lawmakers represents a major milestone in the constitutional amendment process. Nevertheless, constitutional alteration bills in Nigeria must still satisfy other legal and legislative requirements before they can become part of the Constitution.
Valid9ja gathered that the proposal remains one of the most closely watched security-related constitutional reforms because of its potential impact on policing, public safety and the relationship between the federal and state governments.
The passage of the Tinubu State Police Bill constitutional amendment by the House of Representatives, despite the Minority Caucus’ walkout, highlights both the broad legislative support for the proposal and the continuing debate surrounding state policing in Nigeria. The next stages of the constitutional amendment process will determine whether the proposed reform eventually becomes law.