Drama In Senate As Lawmakers Reject Governors’ Entry During State Police Debate

Drama In Senate As Lawmakers Initially Reject Governors’ Entry During State Police Debate
Akpabio reintroduced the motion and ruled in its favour.
Governors and top officials later observed State Police Bill proceedings.

A mild drama played out in the Senate on Wednesday after lawmakers initially rejected a request by the Senate leadership to allow governors and senior government officials into the chamber to observe proceedings on the State Police Bill.

Among those seeking access were the governors of Ogun, Ondo and Kaduna states, Dapo Abiodun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Uba Sani.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that also in the delegation were the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The officials had sought permission to observe deliberations and voting on the Constitution Alteration Bill proposing the establishment of state police across the country.

Other members of the delegation included Attorneys General and Commissioners for Justice from Ondo, Anambra and Akwa Ibom states.

At the start of plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio appealed to lawmakers to allow the visitors, whom he described as “strangers,” into the chamber.

Following the appeal, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion under Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Rules, which permits non members to be admitted into the chamber under special circumstances.

However, when the motion was subjected to a voice vote, senators overwhelmingly rejected it.

The outcome appeared to catch the Senate leadership by surprise, prompting Akpabio to make a fresh appeal to lawmakers to accommodate the visitors.

Akpabio subsequently directed Bamidele to reintroduce the motion. The motion was seconded by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

When the motion was again put to a voice vote, Akpabio called only for the “Ayes,” which were noticeably fewer than the number of senators present in the chamber.

As opposing voices grew louder, the Senate President did not call for the “Nays,” which appeared to be in the majority. He immediately ruled in favour of the motion and struck the gavel.

The decision cleared the way for the governors, ministers and other officials waiting outside the chamber to enter and observe proceedings on the State Police Bill.

The incident briefly highlighted growing tensions between some governors and senators representing their states. Some lawmakers were reportedly unhappy with governors accused of using their political influence to deny them re election tickets ahead of the 2027 general election.

Drama In Senate As Lawmakers Reject Governors’ Entry During State Police Debate

The State Police Bill remains one of the key constitutional amendment proposals before the National Assembly as Nigeria continues to grapple with worsening security challenges across several parts of the country.