- ADC Rejects Alleged WhatsApp Voting on State Police Bill, Demands Fresh Process
- The party demanded a fresh legislative process with broader public participation.
- ADC warned against constitutional shortcuts in reforming Nigeria’s policing system.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the House of Representatives to recommit the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill to a fresh legislative process following allegations that votes sent through WhatsApp by absent lawmakers were counted during its consideration.
The opposition party said the allegations raised serious constitutional concerns and insisted that any amendment to the Constitution must follow due process.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it supported the creation of a state policing system capable of addressing Nigeria’s security challenges but would not support a process that allegedly violated constitutional provisions.
The party referred to reports from members who participated in the House proceedings on July 23, 2026, alleging that the constitutional threshold required to pass the bill was achieved by counting votes transmitted through WhatsApp by lawmakers who were not physically present in the chamber.
The ADC also alleged that some lawmakers who had signed the attendance register but were absent when voting took place were included in the final tally.
According to the party, the allegations cast doubt on the legitimacy of the legislative process.
“These allegations raise profound legal and constitutional concerns.
“The Constitution is not amended by convenience. It is amended through strict procedures that leave no room for improvisation.”
The opposition party argued that regardless of the importance of the proposed state police reform, constitutional procedures must not be compromised.
“Regardless of the noble intentions behind the amendment, the constitutional process for amendment must not be circumvented,” the statement added.
The ADC also expressed concern over reports that lawmakers were not given adequate opportunity to conduct a detailed clause by clause consideration of the bill.
It further alleged that constitutional objections raised by some members during the proceedings were not properly addressed.
According to the party, constitutional amendments require open debate, compliance with the House Standing Orders and strict adherence to the provisions of the Constitution.
“This appears not to be the case in respect of this particular amendment,” the party stated.
The ADC further argued that the current version of the state police bill had not undergone sufficient public scrutiny.
While acknowledging that proposals for state police had featured in previous constitutional review exercises, the party maintained that the current legislation contained significant policy changes that deserved wider public engagement.
“It is one thing to pass a bill for political expediency. It is another thing to ensure that it actually solves the problem it was intended to solve,” the statement read.
The party stressed that the goal should not simply be to establish another policing institution but to create a framework capable of effectively tackling insecurity across the country.
It warned that the proposed legislation could be vulnerable to political interference and abuse if passed without adequate safeguards and meaningful public participation.
The ADC noted that Nigeria had previously enacted major laws and policies that were later amended or reversed because they were not sufficiently scrutinised before implementation.
It cautioned against repeating similar mistakes with a constitutional amendment that could significantly reshape the country’s security architecture.
“Unless this bill is subjected to rigorous public examination, we risk enacting legislation that has survived only the echo chamber of the ruling party rather than the searching questions of the Nigerian people,” the party said.
The ADC consequently urged the House of Representatives to recommit the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill for further consideration.
It said the renewed process should fully comply with constitutional provisions, encourage wider public participation and incorporate safeguards against political interference and abuse.
“Nigeria deserves a State Police framework that commands public confidence because it has been properly debated, strengthened to guarantee the required outcome and protected against abuse before becoming part of our Constitution.”
