Minority Lawmakers Walk Out As Reps Pass State Police Bill

Minority lawmakers in the House of Representatives walked out of plenary on Thursday after the chamber passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to create state police.

The lawmakers said they were not opposing state police itself. Their complaint was that the House leadership pushed the bill through in a way they said breached constitutional rules and the chamber’s standing orders.

Reports said the walkout happened after the House considered the proposal during plenary and adopted the report of the Committee of the Whole. The bill was then passed through a voice vote presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Minority Leader Fredrick Agbedi told reporters that the caucus objected to the procedure used during consideration of the bill. He said members should have been allowed to propose amendments and vote on individual clauses during the constitutional alteration process.

The proposal for state police has drawn renewed attention as insecurity worsens in several states. Supporters say it could help states respond faster to local threats, while critics have warned that governors could abuse such forces without strong safeguards.

The bill will still need to pass the wider constitutional amendment process before it can take effect, including the required support from state assemblies.

Sources: Premium Times, Daily Post