State Police proposal gains momentum as Senate, Presidency, and governors align on reform

The Senate has scheduled amendments to the 1999 Constitution to make provision for the establishment of State Police in Nigeria, with plans to transmit the proposal to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for further legislative action.

The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in a statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Monday, noting that stakeholders across the country are largely in agreement on the creation of State Police.
He explained that the National Assembly would isolate the State Police provision from the broader constitutional amendment package due to its urgency and push it forward for accelerated consideration.
Bamidele also stated that both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and state governors are aligned with the National Assembly on the proposal.
According to him, the legislative week beginning Tuesday will be critical, as the State Police bill will be a top priority for the Senate.
He referenced Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which establishes the Nigeria Police Force as the only police body in the country.
In the statement, Bamidele reiterated that the National Assembly is committed to translating public demand into action, stressing that there is consensus that the time is right for State Police.
He added that lawmakers had resolved to pass the relevant constitutional amendment without delay, noting that the bill could be transmitted to state assemblies within the week.
He explained that approval from two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly is required before final presidential assent.
Bamidele further disclosed that extensive consultations had taken place between the National Assembly leadership, including the Senate and House Committees on Constitutional Review, and key stakeholders such as the Office of the Attorney-General, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and security officials including Tunji Disu.
He said these engagements had strengthened confidence that the proposal would progress within the week.
According to him, the bill will be separated from other constitutional amendment proposals to ensure speedy consideration and voting.
He added that President Tinubu is fully supportive of the initiative and that many governors and state assemblies are also expected to endorse it.
Gbajabiamila had earlier noted that President Tinubu would receive a comprehensive report on the proposed State Police structure as consultations on its constitutional framework near completion.