ADC faults House’s passage of state police bill, demands recommittal

Nigeria's opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called for the House of Representatives to restart the legislative process for a constitutional amendment on state police. The ADC claims the bill's passage violated constitutional procedures, specifically by counting votes sent via WhatsApp from absent lawmakers and including those who had signed the attendance register but left before the vote.

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The Constitution is not amended by convenience. It is amended through strict procedures that leave no room for improvisation. Therefore, regardless of the noble intentions behind the amendment, the constitutional process for amendment must not be circumvented.

In a statement, the ADC emphasized that constitutional amendments require strict adherence to laid-down procedures, warning that bypassing due process could undermine the legitimacy of the proposed state police framework. "The Constitution is not amended by convenience. It is amended through strict procedures that leave no room for improvisation," the party stated.

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These allegations raise profound legal and constitutional concerns.

While the ADC supports the establishment of state police to combat Nigeria's escalating security challenges, it insists that the creation of such a significant institution must be transparent, constitutional, and inclusive. The party also raised concerns about the curtailment of clause-by-clause scrutiny and the inadequate addressing of constitutional objections during the bill's consideration. "Constitutional alteration demands openness, robust debate and strict fidelity to both the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House," the ADC added.

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Constitutional alteration demands openness, robust debate and strict fidelity to both the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House. This appears not to be the case in respect of this particular amendment.