The identity of the only member of the House of Representatives who voted against the proposed establishment of state police has been revealed as Bashir Usman, representing Birnin-Gwari/Giwa Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.
Last Thursday, the House overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment bill aimed at creating state police forces, a move that would decentralize policing and allow state governments to establish their own security agencies under an amended 1999 Constitution.
The proposal received widespread support from lawmakers, with 289 of the 290 members present voting in favour. Usman cast the lone dissenting vote.
Explaining his position, Usman argued that lawmakers had not been given sufficient time to review the report submitted by the House Committee on Constitution Review before deliberations commenced. He maintained that members should be allowed adequate time to study the document to ensure informed decision-making.
Despite his objection, which was overruled by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the House proceeded with debate and consideration of the bill.
During deliberations, Usman also questioned whether existing security agencies, which he said receive significant funding, had exhausted all options for addressing the country’s security challenges before the creation of state police.
The lawmaker’s stance attracted attention, particularly given the persistent insecurity affecting communities in Kaduna State, including banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence.
Usman, a former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, was elected to the House of Representatives in 2023 on the platform of the APC before later defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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