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

Senate plenary

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.

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.