Members of the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives exited Thursday’s plenary session to protest the legislative handling of a constitutional amendment bill intended to create State Police Services. While the opposition supports the concept of state policing, they contended that the passage of the bill bypassed mandatory constitutional protocols.
Minority Leader Fredrick Agbedi stated that the House leadership violated Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution. He asserted that amendment bills demand a clause-by-clause review and support from a two-thirds majority. The caucus highlighted that the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, proceeded to a voice vote after reading only the bill’s long title, failing to permit a thorough examination of its individual clauses as required by Order 13 Rule 15(a) of the House Rules.
The lawmakers also expressed frustration that they were denied the chance to propose amendments despite prior assurances. Despite the walkout, the House ultimately approved the bill with 311 votes. Speaker Abbas confirmed that 276 members were present physically, while 35 others joined virtually to adopt the report from the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
