The House of Representatives has approved the State Police Bill, paving the way for the decentralisation of Nigeria’s policing structure.
The decision came after 289 lawmakers voted in support of state police during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
The House had earlier slated Thursday’s sitting for voting on the State Police Bill in response to the growing cases of killings, kidnappings and bandit attacks recorded across the country in recent months.
The proceedings witnessed some drama as, shortly after lawmakers commenced the day’s business, a member representing Kaduna State, Bashir Zubairu, raised a point of order, stating that the document on the proposed state police compiled by the House Committee on Constitution Review was circulated to members only on Thursday afternoon.
Recognised to speak by the speaker, Zubairu said, “Mr Speaker, this document was only made available to lawmakers in the chambers, and we are yet to go through it. We cannot do justice to it because we have not gone through it.”
Zubairu, who belongs to the African Democratic Congress, was ruled out of order, allowing deliberations on the proposal to continue.
As the Speaker guided members through the various clauses, voices shouting “Point of Order” were heard in the chamber, but the presiding officer declined to entertain them.
Before the commencement of voting, Abbas informed lawmakers that the electronic voting system was not functioning, explaining that the exercise would instead be conducted based on attendance.
Of the 290 lawmakers present, 289 voted in support of state police, while one voted against the proposal. The Speaker did not cast a vote.
