All Eyes on Red Chamber as Senators Decide State Police Fate

The Senate on Wednesday commenced what may become one of the most significant constitutional voting exercises since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999, with top figures in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and several APC governors present in the Senate Chamber ahead of deliberations on major constitutional amendment bills.

Among those in attendance were Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the governors of Ogun and Ondo states, as well as a number of state Attorneys-General, including representatives from Anambra and Akwa Ibom states.
Their presence attracted considerable attention within the Red Chamber, as non-members rarely attend such critical legislative proceedings.
Sources disclosed that some senators initially expressed concerns over admitting the visitors into the chamber. However, they were eventually granted access to observe the proceedings.
The Senate had earlier planned to begin consideration of the constitutional amendment bills immediately after the swearing-in of newly inaugurated senators.
Proceedings, however, were delayed when lawmakers entered a closed-door session that lasted more than an hour following a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
Akpabio Sets Tone for Historic Vote
Before the Senate moved into executive session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the constitutional amendment exercise as a defining moment for both the National Assembly and Nigeria’s democratic journey.
He told senators that the proposals before them were not merely legislative matters but measures capable of reshaping Nigeria’s security structure and strengthening federalism.
Akpabio urged lawmakers to approach the debate with patriotism, open-mindedness, and dedication to the national interest, noting that history would judge the 10th Senate by its readiness to address critical national issues.
“The decisions we take will have the potential to shape the future of policing, public safety and intergovernmental relations in Nigeria for generations to come,” he said.
Electronic Voting Introduced
In a notable departure from the Senate’s traditional voice-vote system, Akpabio announced that voting on the constitutional amendment bills would be conducted electronically.
According to him, every senator’s vote would be digitally recorded, displayed, and printed for future reference, enhancing transparency and accountability in the legislative process.
The chamber subsequently conducted test runs of the electronic voting system, marking the first time the technology is being used for constitutional voting since the inauguration of the 10th Senate.
State Police Tops Agenda
At the centre of the constitutional amendment exercise is the highly debated proposal to establish State Police Services, a measure strongly supported by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of efforts to address rising insecurity nationwide.
Supporters argue that state policing would improve intelligence gathering and strengthen responses to banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and communal clashes by bringing law enforcement closer to local communities.
Critics, however, warn that state police structures could be misused by governors for political purposes, especially as the country gradually moves toward another election cycle.
Other Key Proposals Before the Senate
Beyond state police, senators are expected to vote on several other major constitutional amendments, including:
Placing the Armed Forces of the Federation on a constitutional first-line charge to guarantee direct funding from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Granting constitutional recognition and financial autonomy to traditional institutions through the creation of State Councils of Traditional Rulers.
Introducing independent candidacy for governorship, legislative, and local government elections.
Establishing a constitutionally backed Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.
Mandating courts to automatically commute death sentences imposed on pregnant women to life imprisonment where pregnancy is established.
Prohibiting the public parade of criminal suspects by law enforcement agencies, declaring the practice inconsistent with constitutional protections of human dignity and the presumption of innocence.
Proceedings remain ongoing as senators prepare to cast their votes on the extensive package of constitutional amendments that could significantly reshape Nigeria’s governance system, security architecture, and democratic processes for years to come.
All eyes remain fixed on the Red Chamber as lawmakers decide the fate of some of the most ambitious constitutional reforms proposed since the beginning of the Fourth Republic.