The Senate on Wednesday commenced voting on a raft of constitutional amendment proposals, marking a significant phase in the ongoing review of Nigeria’s legal framework, with the controversial state police proposal topping the agenda.
The exercise attracted prominent political figures to the National Assembly, including the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress and several state chief law officers.
Among those present in the chamber were Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and his counterparts from Ogun and Ondo states. Attorneys-General from states such as Anambra and Akwa Ibom were also seen observing the proceedings from the gallery.
Their attendance generated discussions among lawmakers, as it is uncommon for non-legislators to witness Senate deliberations of such magnitude from within the chamber.
Despite initial concerns raised by some senators, the visitors were eventually permitted to remain for the session.
Proceedings began later than scheduled after senators spent more than an hour behind closed doors in an executive session convened following a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
Before the commencement of voting, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the constitutional review as a defining moment for the legislature and the country.
He said the amendments under consideration could reshape governance, security administration and relations among the tiers of government.
Akpabio urged lawmakers to approach the exercise with a sense of responsibility and patriotism, noting that the decisions reached would have lasting implications for future generations.
In a notable shift from previous practice, the Senate adopted an electronic voting system for the exercise.
According to the Senate President, each vote would be digitally captured, displayed and documented to ensure transparency throughout the process. Lawmakers subsequently conducted trial runs before the formal voting commenced.
The proposal seeking the establishment of state police remains the centrepiece of the constitutional review.
Advocates argued that decentralising policing would strengthen security operations and improve responses to emerging threats across the country.
Opponents, however, have warned that such powers could be exploited by state governments for political purposes.
Other proposals before the Senate include guaranteed funding for the Armed Forces through a first-line charge arrangement, constitutional backing for traditional institutions, recognition of independent candidacy in elections, the creation of an Electoral Offences Commission, and measures aimed at protecting the rights and dignity of criminal suspects and vulnerable groups.
As voting continued, attention remained fixed on the Red Chamber, where lawmakers were expected to decide on reforms that could significantly alter Nigeria’s security architecture, electoral process and governance structure.
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