The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the House of Representatives to recommit the proposed State Police Constitution Alteration Bill to a fresh legislative process, insisting that such a significant constitutional amendment must be handled transparently, constitutionally and inclusively.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it supports the creation of state police to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges but objected to what it described as procedural irregularities in the bill’s passage.
The ADC expressed concern over reports that the constitutional voting threshold was allegedly met through votes submitted via WhatsApp by lawmakers who were absent from the chamber, while some members who merely signed the attendance register were also counted during voting.
“The Constitution is not amended by convenience. It is amended through strict procedures that leave no room for improvisation,” the party stated.
According to the ADC, regardless of the merits of the proposed legislation, the constitutional process for amending the nation’s laws must be strictly followed.
The party also criticised what it described as inadequate clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, alleging that constitutional objections raised during deliberations were not properly addressed.
It argued that constitutional amendments require broad public participation, detailed debate and full compliance with both the Constitution and the House Standing Orders.
The ADC further maintained that the current State Police Bill has not undergone the level of public scrutiny expected for a constitutional reform of such national importance.
While acknowledging that the issue of state policing has featured in previous constitutional review exercises, the party said the latest proposal contains significant policy changes that Nigerians have not had sufficient opportunity to examine through a dedicated public consultation process.
The party warned that failing to subject the bill to wider scrutiny could result in legislation that reflects partisan interests rather than addressing the country’s security needs.
The ADC therefore urged the House of Representatives to recommit the bill to a fresh legislative process to ensure it enjoys public confidence before becoming part of the Constitution.
“Nigeria deserves a State Police framework that commands public confidence because it has been properly debated, strengthened to guarantee the required outcome and protect against abuse before becoming part of our Constitution,” the statement said.
