By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives on Thursday staged a walkout during plenary after the chamber passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police, alleging that the process violated constitutional provisions and the House Standing Orders.
Addressing journalists after the session, Chairman of the Minority Caucus, Frederick Agbedi, stressed that the opposition was not against the creation of state police but objected to the procedure used in passing the bill.
According to him, constitutional amendment bills must be considered clause by clause, with each provision securing the support of at least two-thirds of lawmakers, rather than being decided through a voice vote.
Agbedi said the caucus had earlier discussed proposed amendments with the Speaker and expected to present them during consideration of the bill.
He, however, alleged that members were denied the opportunity to move amendments or vote individually, adding that the Minority Leader was ruled out of order while attempting to raise a constitutional point of order, prompting the walkout.
Also speaking, Minority Caucus spokesperson Afam Ogene argued that the House failed to comply with Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which prescribes the procedure for altering the Constitution.
He maintained that the attendance register should have been used to determine whether the constitutionally required number of lawmakers participated in the exercise.
The Minority Caucus insisted that its protest was strictly against what it described as a breach of constitutional procedure and not opposition to the establishment of state police, reaffirming its support for reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
