State Police Bill: ADC rejects alleged WhatsApp voting, urging the House of Representatives to restart the amendment process.
The State Police Bill has sparked fresh controversy after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) questioned the voting process in the House of Representatives. The opposition party rejected reports that lawmakers counted WhatsApp votes from absent members during deliberations.
The ADC said the allegations raised serious constitutional concerns. Therefore, it urged the House of Representatives to recommit the State Police Bill to a fresh, transparent, and inclusive legislative process.
The party made its position known in a statement issued on Tuesday. National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi signed the statement on behalf of the ADC.
According to the party, it supports efforts to improve policing in Nigeria. However, it insisted that any constitutional amendment must follow the procedures outlined in the Constitution.
The ADC referred to reports from the House proceedings held on July 23, 2026. It alleged that lawmakers counted votes sent through WhatsApp by members who were absent from the chamber.
In addition, the party claimed officials included lawmakers who had signed the attendance register but left before voting began. It argued that such actions could undermine the credibility of the constitutional amendment process.
The ADC stressed that constitutional amendments require strict compliance with the law. It said convenience should never replace due process when changing the nation’s Constitution.
Furthermore, the opposition party argued that the importance of the State Police Bill could not justify bypassing established legal procedures. It maintained that every amendment must meet the constitutional threshold through transparent voting.
The party also expressed concern over reports that lawmakers restricted detailed clause-by-clause consideration of the bill. It claimed that constitutional objections raised during the debate did not receive proper attention.
According to the ADC, constitutional amendments demand open debate, full compliance with the House Standing Orders, and strict adherence to the Constitution. It argued that the reported process failed to meet those standards.
Meanwhile, the party said the current State Police Bill had not received enough public scrutiny. Although previous constitutional review exercises discussed state police, it noted that the present proposal contains significant policy changes.
The ADC warned that passing the bill without wider public participation could create room for political abuse. It added that lawmakers should strengthen the legislation before making it part of the Constitution.
The opposition party also recalled that Nigeria had amended or reversed several major laws because lawmakers failed to examine them properly before implementation. Therefore, it urged the National Assembly to avoid repeating the same mistake.
Finally, the ADC called on the House of Representatives to recommit the State Police Bill for further consideration. It said the renewed process should follow constitutional procedures, encourage wider public participation, and include safeguards against political interference.
The party concluded that Nigeria deserves a State Police Bill that enjoys public confidence. It added that only a transparent and constitutionally compliant process can produce lasting reforms to the country’s security system.
