State Police: ADC Questions Reps’ Procedure, Demands Fresh Legislative Process

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the House of Representatives over its handling of the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill, arguing that constitutional amendments must be carried out strictly in accordance with the law.

In a statement released on Tuesday by National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said although it supports the establishment of state police to strengthen Nigeria’s security system, the process of amending the Constitution must not be compromised.

“The Constitution is not amended by convenience. It is amended through strict procedures that leave no room for improvisation,” the statement read.

The ADC questioned reports that lawmakers who were absent from the chamber allegedly voted through WhatsApp and that legislators who had signed the attendance register but were no longer present were counted toward the constitutional threshold required for the amendment.

According to the party, adherence to constitutional procedures is essential regardless of the intentions behind the proposed reform.

It also expressed concern over reports that the bill did not receive comprehensive clause-by-clause consideration and that constitutional concerns raised during debate were not fully addressed.

The opposition party maintained that constitutional amendments require openness, rigorous legislative scrutiny and full compliance with parliamentary procedures.

It further argued that Nigerians had not been given sufficient opportunity to examine the latest version of the State Police Bill despite its potential impact on the country’s security framework.

“While the idea of State Police has featured in previous constitutional review exercises, this latest effort contains significant policy reform that Nigerians have not had the opportunity to interrogate through a dedicated public process,” Abdullahi stated.

The ADC said the priority should be to create a policing structure capable of addressing widespread insecurity rather than pursuing legislation for political expediency.

“It is one thing to pass a Bill for political expediency. It is another thing to ensure that it actually solves the problem it was intended to solve. The objective is not merely to establish another police institution. It is to reduce the insecurity that has devastated communities across the country,” the party said.

The ADC warned that without wider public examination, the proposed amendment risked becoming legislation shaped by partisan interests instead of national consensus.

“Unless this Bill is subjected to rigorous public examination, we risk enacting legislation that has survived only the echo chamber of the ruling party rather than the searching questions of the Nigerian people,” it added.

The party therefore called on the House of Representatives to recommit the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill for a more transparent, constitutional and inclusive legislative process.

“Nigeria deserves a State Police framework that commands public confidence because it has been properly debated, strengthened to guarantee the required outcome and protect against abuse before becoming part of our Constitution,” the statement concluded.

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