The Senate suspended consideration of the highly anticipated State Police Bill, as well as all other legislative activity, on Tuesday in an emergency plenary session to honor the memory of Hon. Yaya Tongo, a member of the House of Representatives whose death threw the National Assembly into mourning.
The upper chamber had returned from recess with expectations that lawmakers would move quickly on a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at establishing state police across the federation, which is widely regarded as a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing security reform effort.
However, proceedings were stopped short when Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed Tongo’s death. Tongo represented the Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State in the House of Representatives.
Tongo died in Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja on June 12, 2026, after a brief illness.
His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from political leaders and associates across the country, including former Minister of Communications Isa Pantami and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, both of whom praised his contributions to grassroots development, youth empowerment, and public service.
The late lawmaker was first elected to the House of Representatives on the People’s Democratic Party platform and was re-elected to the 10th National Assembly in 2023.
In March 2026, he joined the African Democratic Congress, one of several lawmakers who switched parties ahead of the next election cycle.
Akpabio announced a suspension of legislative activities to allow lawmakers to mourn their colleague and participate in burial rites.
He said, “Let me mention that we will not go into any other discussion today. With heavy hearts, I announce the passing of our honorable 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.
‘Let me say that our sympathies go with the family. Our consolation to the children, and may his soul rest in peace.
“However, in line with our tradition, we will observe one minute’s silence and then recess from the hall to come back for our constitutional duty tomorrow. May we rise to observe one minute’s silence.”
Following the tribute, senators observed a minute of silence in honor of the deceased before adjourning the chamber.
The development postpones Senate action on several outstanding issues, including President Bola Tinubu’s proposed State Police Bill.
The Presidency has proposed amending the 1999 Constitution to create a dual policing structure, citing rising insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency across the country.
The Senate is expected to resume deliberations on the bill and other constitutional amendment proposals on Wednesday.
