State Police: Reps Minority Caucus Stages Walk Out, Accuse Abbas of Breaching Constitution

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives on Wednesday staged a walkout during plenary, accusing Speaker Tajudeen Abbas of violating constitutional and parliamentary procedures in the consideration of the State Police Constitutional Amendment Bill.

Addressing journalists after the walkout, Minority Leader, Hon. Fredrick agbedi said the caucus was not opposed to the creation of state police but rejected what he described as the failure of the House leadership to follow due process in amending the Constitution.

Agbedi argued that constitutional alteration bills must be considered clause-by-clause and approved by a two-thirds majority through recorded votes, in line with the Constitution and the House Standing Orders, rather than by a voice vote.

According to him, “We are not against the creation of state police. Whatever will remedy insecurity in this country, the Minority Caucus is ready to support. But any action taken by Parliament must follow due process.”

He alleged that despite raising a point of order during the Committee of the Whole, the Speaker, who presided over the session, ruled him out of order without allowing him to state his objection.

“The Speaker simply read the long title of the bill and put it to a voice vote. A constitutional amendment that requires a two-thirds majority and clause-by-clause consideration cannot be determined by voice vote,” he said.

Agbedi maintained that the action undermined the credibility of the National Assembly and Nigeria’s democratic institutions, warning that disregard for parliamentary rules could weaken the country’s commitment to the rule of law.

“If we had walked out, where were our votes? Can you count anybody’s votes? Can you amend the Constitution through a voice vote? The answer is no,” he added.

The Minority Leader insisted the caucus had intended to vote in support of the State Police Bill while proposing amendments to strengthen its provisions but was denied the opportunity to do so.

The Caucus had in letter dated July 22, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker, the Minority Caucus reaffirmed its support for the establishment of state police but called for the bill to be recommitted for further legislative scrutiny.

Signed by the Minority Caucus spokesman, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, the letter argued that while Nigeria urgently needs state police, the proposed constitutional framework contains legal ambiguities, governance gaps, drafting inconsistencies and unresolved fiscal issues.

The caucus warned against what it described as “constitutionalising uncertainty,” stressing that a better bill was preferable to a faster one.

Among its recommendations was a proposal to reallocate 15 per cent of the Federation Account revenue currently accruing to the Federal Government to state governments to fund the new policing responsibilities.

The lawmakers also urged the House leadership to suspend the immediate adoption of the bill and allow a time-bound review involving constitutional experts, security practitioners, state governments, fiscal authorities and other stakeholders.

According to the caucus, the review should focus on strengthening the legal, institutional and financial framework for state police rather than reopening debate on the principle of its creation.

The Minority Caucus maintained that Nigeria deserves state police but insisted the country must “get the framework right” to avoid future constitutional disputes, institutional conflicts and operational challenges.