Lawmakers in Abuja advance constitutional amendment as opposition voices protest rushed process; Speaker Abbas presides over dramatic session

The House of Representatives in Abuja has approved the state police bill, paving the way for the decentralisation of Nigeria’s policing system after months of rising insecurity. The decision came during plenary on Thursday, 11 June 2026, with 289 out of 290 members present voting in support and one voting against. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the session, abstained from voting.

Proceedings began with contention as Bashir Zubairu, representing Kaduna under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), raised a point of order. Zubairu argued that lawmakers had only received the report from the House Committee on Constitution Review earlier that afternoon, giving them little time to review details on the proposed state police structure. “Mr Speaker, this document was only made available to lawmakers in the chambers, and we are yet to go through it. We cannot do justice to it because we have not gone through it,” Zubairu said on the floor. However, Speaker Abbas ruled him out of order and moved ahead with the day’s agenda despite continued calls for more deliberation.

The debate over state police comes at a time when Nigerians are grappling with increased cases of killings, kidnappings, and banditry across several regions, especially in the North-West. Supporters argue that decentralising policing will help states respond faster to security challenges peculiar to their areas. Critics caution that without proper safeguards, state police could be abused by local politicians or escalate inter-communal tensions.

During clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, several lawmakers attempted to raise further objections through points of order. The Speaker ignored these interruptions and explained that electronic voting was unavailable due to a technical fault; instead, voting was conducted manually based on attendance records. Despite opposition concerns about transparency and process speed, overwhelming majority support carried the bill forward.

With House approval secured by an almost unanimous vote—289 for and one against—the bill is expected to proceed to further legislative stages, including Senate concurrence and assent by President Bola Tinubu if it passes both chambers. If eventually signed into law, Nigeria’s policing architecture could see its most significant transformation since independence.

Source: https://punchng.com/breaking-reps-pass-state-police-bill/

Electoral commission says outcome in South-West state will guide reforms and public trust ahead of next general elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has stated that the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election will serve as a benchmark for measuring the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Prof. Yakubu made this known on Thursday in Abuja, while addressing electoral stakeholders on preparations for the off-cycle polls.

According to Prof. Yakubu, INEC is determined to use the Ekiti poll as a yardstick for testing new measures aimed at boosting transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process. He emphasised that lessons learned from Ekiti would directly inform operational improvements before the 2027 nationwide vote. “The conduct of the Ekiti governorship election is very important as it will be used to assess our readiness and credibility for the next general elections,” he said.

The South-West state’s poll is attracting attention amid ongoing concerns about voter apathy, logistics challenges, and allegations of malpractice during recent elections across Nigeria. Political observers note that INEC faces pressure from civil society groups and opposition parties to demonstrate impartiality and ensure votes count in Ekiti, especially as aggrieved politicians have raised issues with results transmission and collation methods in previous contests.

Prof. Yakubu assured all parties that INEC would deploy both technological and administrative safeguards to ensure a credible exercise. He added that the commission remains open to constructive feedback from political actors and citizens alike. “We are committed to learning from every election. The success or failure of Ekiti will influence how Nigerians view our preparedness for 2027,” he noted.

INEC is expected to release more details on its plans for Ekiti in coming weeks, including engagement with security agencies and training for ad-hoc staff. Political parties are also intensifying campaigns across all local government areas, making the state a critical test case for Nigeria’s evolving democracy.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/886961-ekiti-governorship-poll-to-be-used-as-benchmark-for-2027-election-credibility-inec-chair.html

Muslim groups and activists challenge Oyo officials over claims about bandits’ demands, urge focus on safe release of pupils and teachers

The Oyo State Government is facing mounting criticism after abducted school victims in Oriire Local Government Area disputed official reports that their captors demanded ₦1 billion ransom and the implementation of Sharia law. The controversy intensified on Tuesday when a video surfaced showing Mrs. Rachael Alamu, a school principal held by the kidnappers, denying any such demands from her captors.

The incident began when government officials publicly claimed that bandits responsible for the abduction of pupils and teachers had requested a ₦1bn ransom, weapons, and the introduction of Sharia law as conditions for release. These statements were widely circulated in media reports, fuelling anxiety across Oyo State and beyond. However, Mrs. Alamu, speaking from captivity in the video message, called on politicians and members of the public not to politicise their ordeal and warned that spreading misinformation could jeopardise ongoing rescue efforts.

The conflicting accounts have sparked reactions from several quarters. Muslim groups in the state questioned the credibility of the government’s claims, noting that no independently verified evidence supported reports about a Sharia law demand. The groups urged those who made such statements to clarify their sources and cautioned that unverified claims risked inflaming tensions within the state. Human rights activist Francis Nwapa also criticised the government’s approach in a written statement, accusing officials of using the abduction to promote divisive narratives instead of prioritising the safe return of those still held captive.

As families of abducted pupils and teachers continue to await news of their loved ones’ release, calls are growing for authorities to intensify rescue operations and ensure accurate communication with the public. The situation has heightened concerns about security in South-West Nigeria and raised fresh questions about official transparency in crisis management. For now, attention remains focused on securing the victims’ freedom while stakeholders urge restraint from politicising unverified information.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/oyo-school-kidnapping-government-faces-backlash-for-fabricating-bandits-demands-2026061119062257044