The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the State Police Bill, paving the way for the decentralization of Nigeria’s policing system.
The bill was approved after 289 lawmakers voted in favour during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The House had dedicated Thursday’s sitting to voting on the proposed state police framework amid growing concerns over killings, kidnappings and banditry across the country.
The session witnessed some drama when Kaduna lawmaker Bashir Zubairu raised a point of order, arguing that the report prepared by the House Committee on Constitution Review was only circulated to members on Thursday morning.
According to Zubairu, lawmakers had not been given enough time to study the document before voting on such a critical issue.
However, the Speaker ruled him out of order and allowed the process to continue.
As Abbas read through the clauses of the bill, several lawmakers were heard shouting “Point of Order,” but the presiding officer proceeded with the exercise.
Before voting commenced, the Speaker disclosed that the electronic voting system was faulty, explaining that the vote would instead be based on attendance.
Out of the 290 lawmakers present, 289 voted in support of the State Police Bill, while one member voted against it. Speaker Abbas abstained from voting.
