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From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
The Senate on Wednesday commenced what could become one of the most consequential constitutional voting exercises since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, as key figures in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and several APC governors, stormed the Senate Chamber ahead of deliberations on far-reaching constitutional amendment bills.
Among those present to witness the proceedings were Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the governors of Ogun and Ondo states, as well as several state Attorneys-General, including representatives from Anambra and Akwa Ibom states.
Their presence drew attention within the Red Chamber, as attendance by non-members during such critical legislative proceedings is traditionally uncommon.
Sources said there were initial reservations among some senators regarding the admission of the visitors, but they were eventually allowed into the chamber to observe the historic exercise.
The Senate had earlier scheduled consideration of the constitutional amendment bills immediately after the swearing-in of newly inaugurated senators.
However, proceedings were delayed after lawmakers went into 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 entered the executive session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the constitutional amendment process as a defining moment for the National Assembly and Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
He told senators that the proposals before the chamber were not merely legislative exercises but measures capable of reshaping the country’s security architecture and strengthening the federal system.
Akpabio urged lawmakers to approach the debate with patriotism, open-mindedness and commitment to national interest, stressing that history would judge the 10th Senate by its willingness to confront difficult national questions.
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“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 major departure from the Senate’s traditional reliance on voice votes, Akpabio announced that voting on the constitutional amendment bills would be conducted electronically.
According to him, each senator’s vote would be digitally recorded, displayed and printed for future reference, ensuring transparency and accountability in the decision-making process.
The chamber subsequently commenced test runs of the electronic voting system, marking the first time the technology is being deployed for constitutional voting since the inauguration of the 10th Senate.
State police tops agenda
At the heart of the constitutional amendment exercise is the highly contentious proposal to establish State Police Services, a measure strongly backed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration as part of efforts to tackle growing insecurity across the country.
Supporters argue that state policing would enhance intelligence gathering and improve responses to banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and communal conflicts by bringing law enforcement closer to local communities.
However, critics have expressed concerns that state police structures could be abused by governors for political purposes, particularly as the country gradually moves toward another election cycle.
Other landmark proposals before the Senate
Beyond state police, senators are also expected to vote on several significant 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 establishment 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.
- The proceedings remain ongoing as senators prepare to cast their votes on the sweeping package of constitutional amendments that could significantly alter Nigeria’s governance, security framework and democratic processes for decades to come.
All eyes are now on the Red Chamber as lawmakers begin deciding the fate of some of the most ambitious constitutional reforms proposed since the advent of the Fourth Republic.
