The Senate on Tuesday suspended consideration of the proposed State Police Bill and all other legislative business at its emergency plenary session following the death of House of Representatives member, Hon. Yaya Tongo.
The upper chamber had reconvened from recess amid expectations that lawmakers would accelerate deliberations on the constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, a key proposal in ongoing efforts to reform the country’s security architecture.
However, proceedings took a sombre turn when Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the death of Yaya Tongo, who represented the Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State.
Tongo died on June 12, 2026, at Nizamiye Hospital after a brief illness.
His passing has attracted tributes from political leaders and associates across the country, including former Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami, and Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who commended his contributions to grassroots development, youth empowerment and public service.
The late lawmaker was first elected to the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and was re-elected to the 10th National Assembly in 2023. He later defected to the African Democratic Congress in March 2026 ahead of the next election cycle.
Announcing the suspension of legislative activities, Akpabio said the Senate would adjourn to allow lawmakers to mourn their colleague and participate in his burial rites.
“Let me mention that we will not go into any other discussion today. With heavy hearts, I announce the passing of our Honourable Member of the House of Representatives, Mallam Yaya Tongo, representing the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, who died during this brief recess and is being committed to Mother Earth,” Akpabio said.
He extended condolences to the deceased’s family and urged senators to observe a minute’s silence in his honour.
Following the tribute, lawmakers stood in silence before the Senate adjourned its sitting until the following day.
The development temporarily delays Senate consideration of several pending matters, including the State Police Bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish a dual policing system comprising federal and state police services. The Tinubu administration has presented the measure as a crucial response to rising cases of insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping and insurgency across the country.
With Tuesday’s proceedings cut short, debate on the bill and other legislative matters is expected to resume when the Senate reconvenes.
