BREAKING: Senate Begins Historic Vote on State Police as Gbajabiamila, APC Govs Storm Red Chamber

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday commenced one of the most significant constitutional voting exercises since the return to democratic rule in 1999, as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, several APC governors, and state Attorneys-General converged on the Red Chamber to witness deliberations on the proposed State Police and other far-reaching constitutional amendments.

The high-profile attendance immediately drew attention, with observers describing the session as a defining moment in Nigeria’s quest to reform its security architecture and strengthen its federal system.

Among those present were Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the governors of Ogun and Ondo states, as well as Attorneys-General from several states, including Anambra and Akwa Ibom.

Although some senators reportedly raised concerns over admitting non-members into the chamber during such a crucial legislative exercise, Senate leadership eventually approved their presence to observe the proceedings.

Senate Holds Closed-Door Session Before Voting

The constitutional amendment exercise was initially scheduled to begin immediately after the swearing-in of newly inaugurated senators.

However, proceedings were delayed after lawmakers entered a closed-door session lasting more than one hour following a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

The executive session was understood to have focused on procedural matters ahead of voting on multiple constitutional amendment bills.

Akpabio Describes Vote as a Defining Moment

Addressing senators before the executive session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged lawmakers to put national interest above politics, describing the constitutional review as a landmark exercise that could reshape Nigeria’s governance and security framework.

READ ALSO:

• Being Married to the Same Woman for 48 Years Can Become ‘Boring’ – Charly Boy
• Why LPG Prices Won’t Drop Anytime Soon: NMDPRA Explains
• Police Neutralise Two Kidnappers, Rescue Victim in Ogun Forest Operation

According to Akpabio, the decisions reached during the debate would influence policing, public safety and intergovernmental relations for generations.

“The decisions we take will have the potential to shape the future of policing, public safety and intergovernmental relations in Nigeria for generations to come,” he said.

Electronic Voting Debuts for Constitutional Amendments

In a significant departure from the Senate’s traditional voice vote system, lawmakers adopted electronic voting for the constitutional amendment process.

The new system digitally records every senator’s vote, displays the results on electronic screens and produces printed records, a move aimed at improving transparency and accountability.

The chamber conducted successful test runs before voting commenced, marking the first constitutional amendment exercise under the 10th Senate to use the technology.

State Police Proposal Dominates Deliberations

The most anticipated proposal before lawmakers is the establishment of State Police Services, a constitutional amendment strongly backed by the Tinubu administration as part of broader efforts to address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

Supporters argue that decentralising policing will improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts, while allowing states to address security issues more effectively.

If approved by the National Assembly, the amendment will still require endorsement by at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

Critics Warn Against Potential Abuse

Despite growing support, critics continue to express concerns that state police structures could be exploited by governors for political purposes, particularly during election periods.

These concerns have fueled calls for constitutional safeguards to ensure operational independence, accountability and federal oversight.

Other Major Constitutional Reforms Before the Senate

Beyond the State Police Bill, senators are also considering several landmark constitutional amendments, including:

• Placing the Armed Forces of the Federation on a constitutional first-line charge for guaranteed funding.
• Granting constitutional recognition and financial autonomy to State Councils of Traditional Rulers.
• Introducing independent candidacy for governorship, legislative and local government elections.
• Establishing an Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.
• Mandating courts to commute death sentences imposed on pregnant women to life imprisonment where pregnancy is established.
• Prohibiting the public parade of criminal suspects by law enforcement agencies in line with constitutional protections of human dignity and the presumption of innocence.

Historic Constitutional Exercise Underway

With senior Presidency officials, governors and legal experts observing from the gallery, all eyes remain on the Senate as lawmakers decide the fate of some of the most ambitious constitutional reforms proposed since the advent of the Fourth Republic.

The outcome of the vote is expected to have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s security architecture, governance system and democratic institutions, particularly the long-debated push for State Police.

BREAKING: Senate Begins Historic Vote on State Police as Gbajabiamila, APC Govs Storm Red Chamber

Tinubu Appoints Ex-UNILAG VC Ogundipe as NUC Chairman

• President charges former University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor with restoring credibility and advancing quality assurance in Nigeria’s university regulatory body.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC) . The appointment was announced on Monday, June 22, 2026, in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga .

Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned from the position less than a year after his appointment . Aina was appointed by President Tinubu in July 2025, and members of the NUC Governing Board were inaugurated in November of the same year . The appointment ushers in new leadership for Nigeria’s university regulatory body, with Ogundipe now taking over the commission responsible for regulating and coordinating university education across Nigeria .

The National Universities Commission (NUC) plays a key role in accreditation of academic programmes, quality assurance, university funding oversight, and maintaining standards in the country’s higher education system . His appointment is expected to strengthen governance and policy direction within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector .

Professor Ogundipe served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022, where he was widely recognised for his administrative leadership and academic contributions . He is a professor of Botany with expertise in molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and ecological conservation . He obtained his PhD in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Lagos .

READ ALSO:

• “I Told the President” – Orji Kalu Reveals Private Advice to Tinubu on Insecurity
• “Childish and Hollow” – Presidency Fires Back at Obi Over Tinubu Resignation Demand
• Messi Breaks World Cup Goals Record as Argentina Captain Makes Football History

At 66 years old, Professor Ogundipe currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, where he continues to contribute to institutional governance in higher education . He is a fellow of several prestigious professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London, and the Royal Society of Biology, London . He has also held leadership positions such as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) . Over the years, he has contributed to scientific research, policy development, and capacity building within Nigeria’s education and research ecosystem, earning him recognition as one of the country’s leading scholars in plant sciences and university administration .

The presidency said Ogundipe is expected to provide strategic leadership for the NUC and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s university system . According to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the new chairman will focus on improving funding mechanisms, academic stability, quality assurance, and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities . President Tinubu expressed confidence that Ogundipe would help sustain credibility within the tertiary education sector in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda . The appointment is also seen as part of broader efforts to improve access to quality education and enhance the performance of Nigeria’s higher institutions .

As Chairman of the NUC Governing Board, Ogundipe will oversee the regulatory body of the Nigerian university system, focusing on funding, global competitiveness, and academic stability . The President expects him to provide visionary leadership and sustain the credibility of the Nigerian university system in alignment with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda by advancing quality, access, and integrity in the education sector .

Tinubu Appoints Ex-UNILAG VC Ogundipe as New NUC Chairman

“Childish and Hollow” – Presidency Fires Back at Obi Over Tinubu Resignation Demand

• Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga says Obi’s comparison with UK political system is “simplistic” and “misplaced,” points to recent APC electoral victories as proof of public support.

The Presidency has fired back at Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 elections, over his call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign, dismissing the demand as “childish,” “hollow,” and an unwarranted distraction from governance. In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, June 22, 2026, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, faulted Obi’s comparison of Nigeria’s political system with that of the United Kingdom, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced plans to leave office.

According to Onanuga, Obi’s argument ignored the differences between Nigeria’s presidential system and Britain’s parliamentary structure, stressing that President Tinubu was elected for a fixed four-year tenure. The statement further noted that Obi’s view was “simplistic” and reflected a “selective and distorted view of Nigeria’s realities since 2023.” Onanuga emphasised that Nigeria does not operate a parliamentary system like the UK but a presidential system, with the president elected to a fixed four-year term. “Moving to use X to harangue the President out of office is off the mark and anti-democratic,” the statement read.

The Presidency also pointed to the recent victories recorded by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in elections held in Ekiti State and parts of Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo and Rivers states, saying the outcomes reflected continued public support for the President and his party. “The election results, some early referendum of sorts, show that President Tinubu and his party are popular with Nigerians,” Onanuga said. He argued that Obi should await the 2027 presidential election if he wished to test public opinion on Tinubu’s administration rather than using social media to pressure the President to leave office.

Responding to criticisms of the government’s handling of insecurity, the Presidency maintained that the security challenges confronting the country predated Tinubu’s administration and had deep roots. The statement highlighted what it described as gains recorded under the current administration, including the rescue of kidnap victims, intensified military operations and the elimination of terrorist leaders in different parts of the country. “Over 15,000 terrorists have been taken off the streets and forests, and security operations have intensified nationwide. President Tinubu has not only sustained but also expanded investments in security by deploying advanced technologies and drones,” Onanuga stated. The Presidency further criticised Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, questioning his credentials to comment on security matters. “It is laughable that Obi, who, as governor, was a colossal failure, unable to secure lives and property in his small state of Anambra, as documented by his successor, Willie Obiano, is now the one calling for President Tinubu’s resignation over security breaches in some parts of the country,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:

• JUST IN: One Injured As Bomb Explosion Rocks Lagos Market
• FG Orders Immediate Halt of Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Road Work – Here’s Why
• Police Reject Ransom Talks for Abducted Oyo Schoolchildren, Vow Safe Rescue

On the economic front, Onanuga rejected Obi’s claim that Nigeria was in its worst condition, insisting that economic indicators showed improvements since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. The statement said the administration’s reforms had produced consistent economic growth, increased foreign reserves, higher oil production and improved government revenue. Key figures cited included GDP growth recorded every quarter, foreign reserves hitting over $50 billion, oil production rising from less than one million barrels per day to about 1.8 million, and federation revenue projected to hit over N30 trillion this year, far above the 2022 level of N7.7 trillion. “By May this year, N15.7 trillion has already been collected, more than twice the entire revenue collected in 2022,” the statement added. It also cited gains in the stock market, with the All-Share Index rising from 50,000 to over 250,000, creating wealth for about 6 million Nigerian investors.

On infrastructure, the Presidency credited Tinubu with advancing major road projects across the country, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, describing them as “roads dreamt of for decades.” It further highlighted the government’s compressed natural gas (CNG) initiative and the student loan scheme, which provides interest-free loans to tertiary institution students. The statement also argued that the absence of prolonged strikes by university unions such as ASUU and NASU under the current administration demonstrated progress in the education sector. “That is one of President Tinubu’s campaign promises to our students: a four-year programme will be a four-year programme. It has been a promise well kept,” Onanuga said.

Addressing criticism over electricity supply, the Presidency accused Obi of misrepresenting comments Tinubu made during the 2023 election campaign. It quoted the President’s campaign remarks: “Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me—unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.” The statement added that Tinubu’s administration moved quickly to reform the power sector by signing the Electricity Act, which grants states greater authority over electricity generation, transmission and distribution. It added that millions of prepaid meters had already been deployed, with plans for millions more, while investments in off-grid solar power projects continued across schools, hospitals and markets.

Although it acknowledged the high cost of living, the Presidency argued that rising prices were not unique to Nigeria and had been influenced by global developments, including tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to international supply chains. “Just recently, as inflation was receding in Nigeria, a disruption to the global economy occurred when America and Israel attacked Iran, and Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, creating disruption in the global supply system and high prices of many commodities, including crude oil,” the statement said.

The statement maintained that Obi’s call for Tinubu’s resignation was politically motivated and lacked substance. It said the President remained focused on economic reforms, infrastructure development and security improvements rather than political rhetoric. “Leadership is about determination to confront the challenges facing our country and the economy. President Tinubu focuses on solutions, not rhetoric—investing in reforms, stabilising the economy, improving security, and laying the groundwork for a more prosperous Nigeria,” Onanuga stated. The Presidency also insisted that Nigeria was making steady progress under Tinubu’s leadership and accused Obi of presenting a distorted picture of conditions in the country. “With his puerile tweet on X, we are now convinced that Peter Obi lives in his self-constructed echo chambers, where he reels off lie after lie to himself and believes his self-created reality about the situation in Nigeria. We sympathise with him. That reality he fantasises about is mostly a figment of his imagination,” the statement concluded.

Obi had earlier called on President Tinubu to resign, citing Starmer’s decision to step down as an example of political accountability that Nigerian leaders should emulate. In a statement shared on X, the former Anambra governor argued that both leaders came to power on major campaign promises that had not been fulfilled. He said Starmer’s decision followed public dissatisfaction over economic challenges, rising living costs and unmet promises. Drawing parallels with Nigeria, Obi recalled Tinubu’s criticisms of former President Goodluck Jonathan before the 2015 election, particularly following the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls. According to Obi, Tinubu had then argued that a government that could not protect lives had failed in its primary responsibility. He said the current administration had also fallen short in critical areas, including electricity supply, security, infrastructure and anti-corruption efforts.

“Childish and Hollow” – Presidency Fires Back at Obi Over Tinubu Resignation Demand