Uche Amunike
Lifeandtimes News Writer
The House of Representatives has moved a step closer to reshaping Nigeria’s security architecture after overwhelmingly approving the State Police Bill, a constitutional amendment proposal that seeks to empower states to establish and operate their own police forces.
The bill, which aims to amend the 1999 Constitution, is designed to decentralize policing in Nigeria by allowing state governments to create police institutions that would operate alongside federal security agencies. Supporters believe the move could strengthen efforts to combat insecurity, particularly in communities affected by banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and other violent crimes.
Despite receiving widespread backing from lawmakers, the State Police Bill was not passed without opposition. One member of the House, Bashir Usman, stood alone in rejecting the proposal during voting, making him the sole dissenting voice in one of the most significant constitutional debates of the 10th National Assembly.
Mr. Usman, who represents Birnin-Gwari/Giwa Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, challenged the process through which the constitutional amendment report was considered. According to him, lawmakers were not given sufficient time to review the contents of the report before being asked to vote on such an important national issue.
Raising a point of order on the floor of the House, the lawmaker argued that members received the constitutional review document only hours before deliberations began. He insisted that lawmakers should be allowed adequate time to study the report to ensure they make informed decisions on behalf of Nigerians.
According to him, proper scrutiny was necessary to avoid unintended consequences and to guarantee that justice was done in the interest of the public. However, his objection was overruled by Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, who allowed deliberations on the report to continue.
Beyond concerns about the legislative process, Mr. Usman also questioned whether existing security agencies had been adequately funded and equipped before introducing a new policing structure. He maintained that security remained a sensitive national issue requiring careful consideration and broader consultation.
His position attracted attention because Kaduna State has long battled serious security challenges, including bandit attacks, kidnappings, and communal violence. Given these realities, many observers expected him to support the State Police Bill, which proponents argue would bring law enforcement closer to local communities and improve intelligence gathering.
Nevertheless, the House proceeded with the vote, citing the urgent need to address the country’s worsening security situation. When lawmakers were called upon to indicate their positions, support for the proposal proved overwhelming.
Out of 290 lawmakers present during the session, 289 voted in favour of the constitutional amendment, while only one vote was cast against it. That lone vote belonged to Mr. Usman, whose opposition ensured his place in the record books as the only lawmaker to reject the measure.
A former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mr. Usman was elected into the House of Representatives in 2023 under the platform of the APC before later joining the ADC. Whether viewed as a demand for legislative diligence or outright opposition to the proposal, his stance distinguished him in the debate surrounding the historic State Police Bill.
