By Maryanne Awuya
The House of Representatives has passed the State Police Bill, paving the way for the decentralization of Nigeria’s policing system.
The bill was approved during Thursday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, with 289 lawmakers voting in favour and one against.
The vote followed consideration of the proposed legislation amid growing concerns over insecurity, including killings, kidnappings and banditry across the country.
The session witnessed brief objections from some lawmakers, including Bashir Zubairu from Kaduna State, who argued that members had insufficient time to study the report before voting.
The Speaker, however, overruled the objection and proceeded with the exercise.
Abbas also announced that the electronic voting system was faulty, prompting lawmakers to vote based on attendance records.
Out of the 290 members present, 289 supported the bill, while one opposed it with the Speaker abstaining from voting.
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