The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police, paving the way for a decentralised policing system in Nigeria. The proposed amendment alters the 1999 Constitution to allow states to establish their own police forces, ending federal control through the Nigeria Police Force.
With insecurity plaguing communities nationwide, lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the proposal. However, one lawmaker, Bashir Usman, broke ranks to oppose it. His objection focused on the rushed consideration of the constitutional review report and limited time for lawmakers to study its contents before voting.
Usman, representing Birnin-Gwari/Giwa Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, raised a point of order challenging the report of the House Committee on Constitution Review. He argued that the document was only circulated shortly before the debate, preventing informed decisions. “Mr Speaker, we received this document this afternoon. We cannot know what is in this constitution review committee issue. Allow us to go back and study this book,” he said.
His objection was overruled by presiding officer Abass Tajudeen, allowing the House to proceed. During debate, Usman questioned the readiness of existing security institutions for state police and stressed the need for careful deliberation. “Our Nigerian security agencies, are they funded very well that they cannot tackle insecurity?” he asked.
Despite his reservations, the House advanced the bill. In the vote, 290 lawmakers were present: 289 voted in favor, and only Usman voted against. He raised his hand in opposition while virtually all others signaled support.
Usman previously served as Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly under Governor Ahmed Makarfi. Elected to the 10th National Assembly in 2023 on the APC platform, he later resigned and joined the African Democratic Congress. His stance, whether principled insistence on scrutiny or outright opposition, placed him uniquely in this significant constitutional debate.
