ADC Rejects Reps’ State Police Bill, Demands Fresh Process

The African Democratic Congress has asked the House of Representatives to recommit the proposed constitutional amendment on state police, arguing that the procedure used to pass the bill did not follow the requirements of the Constitution. The party said the process should be repeated to ensure that every stage complies with the law before the amendment is approved.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party alleged that the constitutional number of lawmakers needed to pass the amendment was reached by accepting votes reportedly sent through WhatsApp by lawmakers who were absent from the chamber. It also claimed that some lawmakers who had signed the attendance register but were no longer present during voting were counted as part of the required number.

According to the party, such allegations raise serious constitutional and legal questions that should not be ignored. It said any amendment to the Constitution must follow the laid-down procedures because of the importance of the document and the lasting effect of any changes made to it.

The ADC said it supports the idea of creating state police as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges. However, it insisted that the process of establishing such an important institution must be open, lawful and allow all interested groups to contribute their views before it becomes part of the Constitution.

The party also criticised the way the bill was considered by lawmakers, alleging that the clause-by-clause review was not properly handled and that concerns raised by some members during deliberations were not fully addressed. It argued that constitutional amendments require detailed debate and full compliance with the House’s rules and constitutional provisions.

The ADC further stated that although the issue of state police has appeared in previous constitutional review exercises, the current proposal contains major changes that deserve wider public discussion. It said Nigerians should have enough opportunity to study the proposed framework and express their opinions before it is finally adopted.

The opposition party warned that rushing the legislation could create future problems and weaken public confidence in the proposed security structure. It maintained that the purpose of establishing state police should be to improve security across the country and not merely to create another law enforcement institution without adequate safeguards.

The party therefore urged the House of Representatives to return the bill for another round of legislative consideration that would allow greater transparency, constitutional compliance and broader public participation. It said such a process would produce a state police framework that enjoys public trust and is better prepared to address Nigeria’s security needs while reducing the risk of abuse.

The House of Representatives passed the constitutional amendment bill on July 23 as part of ongoing efforts to reform the country’s policing system. The proposal has generated national debate, with supporters saying it will improve community policing and intelligence gathering, while critics have raised concerns that state-controlled police could be misused by state governments if strong constitutional safeguards are not included.