Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally rejected the passage of the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill by the House of Representatives, accusing the lower chamber of violating constitutional procedures and calling for the legislation to be recommitted to a fresh, transparent, and inclusive legislative process. In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party argued that the constitutional threshold for the amendment was allegedly achieved through the recognition of votes transmitted via the messaging platform WhatsApp by lawmakers who were not physically present in the chamber, as well as the counting of members who had signed the attendance register but were no longer present when the vote was taken. The ADC maintained that the House of Representatives undermined the Constitution in its handling of the bill, insisting that "the Constitution is not amended by convenience" and that no constitutional reform, however well-intentioned, should come at the expense of the constitutional process itself.
The party's rejection came just days after the House of Representatives passed the constitution alteration bill on July 23, 2026, a move that had been widely hailed as a significant step toward establishing state police as part of efforts to address Nigeria's worsening security crisis. However, the ADC alleged that reports from lawmakers who participated in the plenary indicated that votes transmitted through WhatsApp were accepted in determining whether the bill met the constitutional requirement for passage. The party also questioned the alleged inclusion of lawmakers who were no longer in the chamber when the question was put before the House. "These allegations raise profound legal and constitutional concerns," the party stated, adding that "the Constitution is not amended by convenience. It is amended through strict procedures that leave no room for improvisation."
Beyond the controversy over the voting process, the ADC faulted the manner in which the legislation was handled during consideration, alleging that lawmakers were denied adequate opportunity for detailed clause-by-clause scrutiny and that constitutional objections raised during deliberations were not sufficiently addressed. "Constitutional alteration demands openness, robust debate and strict fidelity to both the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House. This appears not to be the case in respect of this particular amendment," Abdullahi stated. The party further argued that despite the significance of the proposed reforms, Nigerians had not been given sufficient opportunity to scrutinise the latest version of the state police bill through broad public consultations. While acknowledging that the issue of state policing has featured in previous constitutional review exercises, the ADC insisted that the current proposal introduces far-reaching changes that deserve wider national engagement.
The ADC emphasised that while it supports the establishment of state police as a solution to Nigeria's growing security challenges, such a significant constitutional reform must be carried out through a transparent, lawful, and participatory process. "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 stated. Warning against what it described as legislative haste, the ADC cautioned that Nigeria should not enact constitutional amendments that may later require reversal because of inadequate consultation and poor legislative procedure. "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," Abdullahi added.
The ADC therefore called on the House of Representatives to return the bill for a fresh legislative process that guarantees constitutional compliance, transparency, and extensive stakeholder participation before any final approval. "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 party declared. The House of Representatives had passed the constitution alteration bill on July 23, 2026, and the bill is now expected to be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence before it can proceed to the state Houses of Assembly for ratification. However, the ADC's rejection of the process and its demand for a fresh legislative process could complicate the bill's progress, as the opposition party's allegations of procedural violations may fuel further debate over the legitimacy of the amendment. With the 2027 general elections approaching, the state police debate is likely to remain a contentious issue, as political parties and civil society groups continue to weigh in on the proposed constitutional reform.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments