State Police Bill Sparks Row As ADC Says ‘WhatsApp Votes Are Illegal

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted the House of Representatives over reports that votes allegedly sent via WhatsApp by absent lawmakers were counted during the consideration of the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill.

The opposition party described the development as a serious constitutional concern and called on the House to recommit the bill to a fresh, transparent and inclusive legislative process.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it supports the creation of a state policing system capable of tackling Nigeria’s security challenges but insisted that any constitutional amendment must strictly comply with due process.

The party referenced reports from the House proceedings of July 23, 2026, alleging that the constitutional voting threshold was achieved by including votes submitted through WhatsApp by lawmakers who were not physically present in the chamber.

It further claimed that some legislators who had signed the attendance register but left before voting commenced were also counted in the final tally.

“These allegations raise profound legal and constitutional concerns,” the ADC stated.

“The Constitution is not amended by convenience. It is amended through strict procedures that leave no room for improvisation.”

According to the party, however well-intentioned the proposed state police amendment may be, it cannot justify any departure from the constitutional procedures required for altering the nation’s supreme law.

“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 denied adequate opportunity to conduct a detailed clause-by-clause debate on the bill and that constitutional objections raised during deliberations were not properly addressed.

The party maintained that constitutional amendments demand open debate, strict observance of the House Standing Orders and full compliance with the provisions of the Constitution.

“This appears not to be the case in respect of this particular amendment,” it said.

The opposition party further argued that the current version of the State Police Bill had not been subjected to sufficient public scrutiny.

While acknowledging that state police proposals have featured in previous constitutional review exercises, the ADC said the latest bill contains significant policy changes that Nigerians have not been given enough opportunity to examine.

“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 credible security framework capable of addressing the country’s growing insecurity.

It warned that, without adequate safeguards and broad public participation, the proposed legislation could be vulnerable to political manipulation and abuse.

The ADC also cautioned against repeating past mistakes where major laws and policies were enacted without sufficient scrutiny, only to be amended or reversed after implementation.

“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 stated.

The ADC therefore urged the House of Representatives to recommit the bill for fresh consideration through a process that fully complies with constitutional requirements, encourages wider public participation and incorporates safeguards against political interference.

“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,” the statement concluded.