The Senate on Wednesday approved the admission of governors and other senior government officials into its chamber during deliberations on the proposed State Police Bill.
The decision followed a motion seeking to suspend Order 12 of the Senate Rules on floor privileges, which ordinarily restricts access to the Senate chamber to lawmakers, while visitors and non-members observe proceedings from the gallery.
The request initially failed to secure approval when it was first subjected to a voice vote, leading to a brief delay in proceedings as the invited governors and other officials waited at the entrance of the chamber.
However, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, appealed to lawmakers to reconsider the matter, emphasizing the importance of allowing key stakeholders to observe discussions on the constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police in Nigeria.
Akpabio noted that any amendment approved by the National Assembly would still require ratification by state Houses of Assembly, making it necessary for governors and other stakeholders to closely follow the legislative process.
He also pointed out that the proposed State Police Bill is an Executive Bill and that many of the invited guests were members of the Executive arm of government.
Following his intervention, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a fresh motion for the suspension of Order 12, seeking permission for the visitors to be admitted as strangers into the chamber.
Those admitted included the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the governors of Kaduna, Ogun and Ondo states; state attorneys-general; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research; Attorney General of Akwa Ibom; Uko Essien Udom, SAN ; and Gov. Dapo Biodun and the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), among other stakeholders.
Speaking in support of the motion, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin commended Akpabio’s leadership, stating that the move would encourage inclusiveness and strengthen collaboration in the consideration of the State Police Bill.
After the motion was reconsidered, senators approved the request, paving the way for the governors and other invited officials to enter the chamber and witness the debate on the proposed state police framework.
The State Police Bill is one of the key constitutional amendment proposals currently before the National Assembly and is expected to play a significant role in ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.
