…says process lacks transparency and inclusion

THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the House of Representatives of undermining the Constitution in its handling of the State Police Constitution alteration bill, calling for the legislation to be recommitted to a fresh and transparent legislative process.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party questioned reports that the constitutional threshold for passage was only met through votes transmitted via WhatsApp and by counting members who were not present in the Chamber.

The ADC also argued that the current version of the Bill had not been subjected to adequate public scrutiny, warning that legislation of such national importance should not be driven by political expediency or shielded from rigorous public debate, particularly in the face of overwhelming concern over political abuse despite widespread desire for state police.

ADC says it supports the establishment of policing that meets the demands of Nigeria’s security challenges, but cannot support a process that undermines the very Constitution it seeks to amend.

“According to accounts publicly given by members who participated in the proceedings of the House of Representatives on 23 July 2026, the constitutional threshold for the amendments was achieved by recognising votes transmitted through WhatsApp from members who were absent from the Chamber and by counting members who had signed the attendance register but were no longer present when the question was put.

“These allegations raise profound legal and constitutional concerns. The Constitution is not amended by convenience. It is amended through strict procedures that leave no room for improvisation. Therefore, regardless of the noble intentions behind the amendment, the constitutional process for amendment must not be circumvented.

“The ADC is indeed concerned by reports that meaningful clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill was curtailed and that constitutional objections raised during the proceedings were not given proper consideration.

“Constitutional alteration demands openness, robust debate and strict fidelity to both the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House. This appears not to be the case in respect of this particular amendment.”

The party said it was of equal concern to it that the current version of the State Police Bill has not undergone the level of public scrutiny that a constitutional reform of this magnitude deserves.

“While the idea of State Police has featured in previous constitutional review exercises, this latest effort contains significant policy reform that Nigerians have not had the opportunity to interrogate through a dedicated public process.

“It is one thing to pass a Bill for political expediency. It is another thing to ensure that it actually solves the problem it was intended to solve. The objective is not merely to establish another police institution. It is to reduce the insecurity that has devastated communities across the country. This is why this new proposal for the establishment of State Police demands careful scrutiny, not legislative manipulation.

“Unless this Bill is subjected to rigorous public examination, we risk enacting legislation that has survived only the echo chamber of the ruling party rather than the searching questions of the Nigerian people.

“Nigeria has witnessed too many major laws and policies that required amendments, reversals or somersaults because they were insufficiently interrogated before passage.”

The statement continued, “We cannot afford to make the same mistake with a constitutional amendment that will fundamentally reshape the nation’s security architecture.

“The ADC therefore calls on the House of Representatives to recommit the Bill to a process that is constitutional, transparent and inclusive. 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.”