By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
AS part of measures to combat insecurity in the country, the House of Representatives has adopted and passed for third reading the report on an executive bill seeking to establish state police.
The legislative action followed the consideration of the report at the Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Speaker, Honourable Abbas Tajudeen.
Leading the debate, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Honourable Benjamin Kalu, who laid the report on the floor, stated that its speedy passage would fast-track prompt actions against security challenges.
However, the procedure adopted in passing the bill drew sharp reactions from the minority caucus. Led by its leader, Honourable Fred Agbedi, the lawmakers contended that due legislative process was bypassed by Speaker Tajudeen, warning that the sanctity and rules of the parliament were compromised.
Following its third reading, the State Police Establishment Bill is expected to be transmitted to the state houses of assembly across the country for concurrence before being forwarded for presidential assent.
