The Senate on Wednesday commenced manual voting on the proposed constitutional amendment seeking the establishment of state police across Nigeria.
Lawmakers are voting clause by clause on the bill as part of ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution and strengthen security through decentralised policing.
The Senate adopted manual voting after concerns that faulty electronic devices could prevent some senators from participating. Under the arrangement, senators are required to stand, announce their names, and openly state their positions on the proposal.
Several top government officials, including Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, were present to observe the proceedings.
The Senate also approved the admission of governors and other senior officials into the chamber after initially rejecting the request. Senate President Godswill Akpabio said their presence was important, noting that any amendment creating state police would require approval by state Houses of Assembly.
If passed by the National Assembly and endorsed by the required number of state legislatures, the amendment will pave the way for the creation of state-controlled police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
