Reps Minority Rejects State Police Bill Passage Process

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives on Thursday staged a walkout during plenary in protest over the passage of the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police Services.

The lawmakers said their action was not against the creation of state police but against what they described as the violation of constitutional provisions and the House Standing Orders in passing the bill.

Addressing journalists after the walkout, Minority Leader Fredrick Agbedi accused Speaker Abbas Tajudeen of failing to comply with constitutional procedures while presiding over the Committee of the Whole during consideration of the bill.

Agbedi argued that constitutional amendment bills must be considered clause by clause, with each provision receiving the support of a two-thirds majority of members, as required by the 1999 Constitution and the House Standing Orders.

The caucus also faulted the decision to subject the bill to a voice vote after only its long title was read, insisting that lawmakers were denied the opportunity to debate and amend individual clauses.

The Minority lawmakers maintained that they support the establishment of state police as a measure to address insecurity but stressed that constitutional amendments must strictly follow due process.

They further claimed that despite earlier discussions with the Speaker on proposed amendments, the promised opportunity to make interventions was not provided during plenary.

Despite the protest, the House approved the bill, with 311 members voting in favour. According to the Speaker, 276 lawmakers voted physically, while 35 participated virtually.

The bill seeks to alter the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and related matters.