Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Senate on Tuesday suspended consideration of the highly anticipated State Police Bill and all other legislative business at its emergency plenary session to honour the memory of a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yaya Tongo, whose death cast a sombre mood over the National Assembly. The upper chamber had reconvened from recess amid widespread expectations that lawmakers would accelerate action on the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police across the federation, a measure widely seen as a major step in the ongoing effort to reform Nigeria's security architecture. However, proceedings were cut short after Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the passing of Tongo, who represented the Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State in the House of Representatives.
Tongo passed away at Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja on June 12, 2026, following a brief illness. He was just six days away from his 63rd birthday at the time of his death. The late lawmaker was first elected to the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and secured re-election to the 10th National Assembly in 2023. He later defected to the African Democratic Congress in March 2026, becoming one of several lawmakers who changed party affiliation ahead of the next election cycle.
Announcing the suspension of legislative activities, Akpabio told the chamber that the Senate would adjourn to allow lawmakers to join in mourning their fallen colleague and participate in burial rites. "Let me mention that we will not go into any other discussion today," Akpabio said. "With heavy hearts, I announce the passing of our Honourable Member of the House of Representatives, Mallam Yaya Tongo, representing the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, who died during this brief recess and is being committed to Mother Earth." The Senate President offered condolences to the bereaved family, saying, "Let me say that our sympathies go with the family. Our consolation to the children and his soul should rest in peace." He then directed the chamber to observe a minute's silence, after which the Senate would recess and reconvene the following day for its constitutional duties. Following the tribute, senators observed a minute's silence in honour of the deceased before the chamber adjourned.
The late lawmaker's death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from political leaders and associates across the country. Former Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami, who had visited Tongo at Nizamiye Hospital on the day of his passing, confirmed the death in a statement, describing the loss as profound. Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, also expressed deep sorrow over the death of the federal lawmaker, praising his contributions to grassroots development, youth empowerment, and public service. The House of Representatives had earlier mourned the passage of their colleague, with Speaker Abbas Tajudeen leading tributes to a man described as having lived a life dedicated to public service and the advancement of his constituents and the country.
The emergency plenary session itself had been formally convened through a memo issued on June 15, 2026, by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo. The notice indicated that the session was convened at the instance of Senate President Akpabio to deliberate on matters considered critical to the nation's stability and security, with the State Police Bill topping the agenda. The Senate had earlier passed the bill for second reading on June 11 before referring it to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution for further work. President Bola Tinubu had transmitted the bill to the Senate, with the legislation seeking to amend Sections 197, 214, and 215 of the 1999 Constitution, moving policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List and creating a dual policing structure consisting of federal and state police services.
The proposed legislation has been presented by the Presidency as a critical response to rising insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency across the country. The adjournment temporarily delays Senate action on several pending matters, including the State Police Bill and other constitutional amendment proposals. Lawmakers are expected to resume deliberations on the bill when the Senate reconvenes on Wednesday. The Senate had also indicated that the alteration of the Constitution would be televised live to enable members of the public to be part of the historic process.
As the National Assembly prepares to resume its constitutional duties, the suspension of Tuesday's plenary serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost that often punctuates the business of governance. For now, the State Police Bill—one of the most consequential legislative proposals of the 10th Assembly—will wait, as Nigeria's lawmakers pause to honour one of their own.
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