The house of representatives has passed the state police bill, paving the way for the decentralisation of Nigeria’s policing structure.
The resolution followed a vote by 289 lawmakers in favour of the bill during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The move comes amid growing concerns over insecurity across the country, including rising cases of killings, kidnappings, and banditry, which lawmakers cited as justification for the urgent consideration of the bill.
Proceedings in the chamber were, however, marked by tension and procedural objections.
Shortly after the session began, a lawmaker representing Kaduna State, Bashir Zubairu, raised a point of order, arguing that members had only just received copies of the proposed legislation.
“Mr Speaker, this document was only made available to lawmakers in the chamber today, and we are yet to go through it. We cannot do justice to it because we have not studied it,” he said.
Zubairu, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was overruled by the Speaker, allowing deliberations to continue.
As the Speaker proceeded to take lawmakers through the clauses of the bill, several members attempted to raise additional points of order, but were not recognised.
Before voting commenced, Abbas announced that the electronic voting system was faulty, stating that the exercise would instead be conducted based on attendance.
Out of 290 lawmakers present, 289 voted in favour of the bill, while one voted against. The Speaker did not cast a vote.
Further legislative processes are expected as the bill progresses.
