Senate holds manual vote on state police as top officials attend
The Senate is conducting a manual, clause-by-clause vote on a constitutional amendment to create state police across Nigeria. Several prominent figures, including Femi Gbajabiamila, Uba Sani, Dapo Abiodun, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, attended the plenary session to observe the proceedings. The move aims to decentralise policing and address security concerns nationwide. The Senate also reversed an earlier decision to allow governors and senior officials into the chamber for the debate.
What we know
- The Senate is voting manually on a bill proposing the creation of state police, as part of ongoing constitutional amendments.
- Manual voting was adopted to ensure transparency and prevent disenfranchisement due to faulty electronic devices.
- Femi Gbajabiamila, governors, and other senior officials were admitted into the chamber after an initial rejection.
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin supported the inclusion of key stakeholders in the session.
- The constitutional amendment requires approval by the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to establish state-controlled police forces.
