ABUJA — Nigeria’s Senate on Tuesday suspended its highly anticipated debate on a landmark state police bill following the death of a member of the House of Representatives.
The upper chamber had cut short its recess for an emergency plenary session, with lawmakers widely expected to accelerate a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow for decentralized policing to tackle the country’s worsening security crisis.
However, legislative business was abruptly halted after Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the death of Yaya Tongo, a representative from Gombe State in the lower house.
Mr. Tongo died at a hospital in Abuja on 12 June 2026 after a brief illness. He was 35.
Following parliamentary tradition, senators observed a minute’s silence before immediately adjourning the session as a mark of respect for their deceased colleague.
Security reforms on hold
The postponement temporarily delays crucial deliberations on the state police legislation, which was recently transmitted to parliament by President Bola Tinubu.
The proposed bill seeks to overhaul Nigeria’s centralized security architecture by amending the 1999 constitution to create a dual policing structure, allowing individual states to run their own law enforcement agencies alongside the federal force.
The presidency has heavily promoted the reform as a vital step toward combating rampant banditry, kidnapping, and insurgencies across the federation.
Tributes for late lawmaker
Mr. Tongo, who represented the Kwami/Funakaye constituency, was re-elected to parliament in 2023 under the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a political shift typical of the build-up to Nigeria’s next electoral cycle, he defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in March 2026.
His passing has prompted widespread tributes from across the political spectrum, with Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya praising his dedication to public service and youth empowerment.
“With heavy hearts, I announce the passing of our Honourable Member,” Mr Akpabio said on the Senate floor. “Our sympathies go with the family.”
The Senate is expected to resume deliberations on the police reform bill and other constitutional amendments when it reconvenes on Wednesday.
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