By Ahmed Yusuf, Abuja
National News – The National Assembly is set to transmit the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of state police to the 36 state Houses of Assembly this week, marking a major step in the constitutional process to decentralise policing in Nigeria.
The move follows the Senate’s recent passage of the proposed amendment, with the bill now requiring approval from at least 24 of the 36 state legislatures before it can be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for presidential assent.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed that arrangements had been concluded for the transmission, noting that state assemblies and governors were already expecting the bill following consultations held before its passage.
He said speakers of the state assemblies had met ahead of the transmission, while governors also followed proceedings in the Senate during deliberations on the proposal.
Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, constitutional amendments must secure the endorsement of not less than two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly before becoming law.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a dual policing system that would allow state governments to create and operate state police services while leaving national security responsibilities—including terrorism, border protection, cybercrime and arms trafficking—with the Nigeria Police Force.
To address concerns that governors could misuse state police for political purposes, lawmakers included safeguards prohibiting the targeting of individuals or groups for criticising government. The bill also empowers the Federal Government to intervene where national security, public order or fundamental human rights are threatened.
The proposal has attracted widespread support from governors, state legislatures and several political stakeholders.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures earlier endorsed the initiative, while Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia described the Senate’s approval as a landmark step that would improve intelligence gathering through policing rooted in local communities.
Similarly, the Forum of Progressive Speakers of State Legislatures pledged to facilitate speedy consideration of the bill in APC-controlled assemblies while ensuring strong oversight mechanisms.
The Labour Party also backed the proposal, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening internal security through community policing, although it acknowledged concerns about possible abuse by state governments.
However, the Peoples Redemption Party opposed the initiative, questioning its timing and expressing doubts over the current administration’s ability to oversee such a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s policing system.
As the bill moves to the states, lawmakers across the federation are expected to conduct public hearings, stakeholder consultations and legislative debates before voting on the amendment.
If approved by at least 24 state assemblies, the proposal will proceed to President Tinubu for assent, potentially ushering in one of the most significant reforms of Nigeria’s internal security architecture since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
Meanwhile, the Senate has defended the passage of the bill, insisting it was driven by the country’s worsening security situation rather than political considerations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the legislation emerged from years of nationwide consultations and constitutional review exercises involving the executive, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures and the leadership of the Nigeria Police.
According to him, public hearings conducted across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025 showed overwhelming support for the establishment of state police.
Bamidele added that recommendations from the Nigeria Police helped shape accountability and oversight provisions designed to prevent abuse of state police by political office holders.
He noted that support for the amendment cut across party lines, revealing that 84 of the 109 senators voted in favour of the bill during clause-by-clause consideration.
The Senate Leader urged opposition parties to contribute constructive ideas towards improving national security rather than opposing reforms for political reasons, maintaining that security should remain a collective national priority beyond partisan interests.
