State Police Bill Tops Senate Agenda as Lawmakers Move to Fast-Track Constitutional Amendment

The Nigerian Senate is set for a decisive week as lawmakers prepare to consider a long-debated constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, a proposal gaining renewed urgency amid escalating insecurity across the country.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), confirmed in a statement on Monday that the bill will be prioritised during the legislative week beginning Tuesday.

He explained that once approved by the Senate, the proposal will proceed to the 36 State Houses of Assembly as part of the constitutional amendment process required for its passage.

Bamidele said the move reflects a growing consensus among key national stakeholders, including President Bola Tinubu and state governors, who he said are “on the same page” with the National Assembly regarding the creation of state police.

According to him, lawmakers have decided to isolate the state police provision from other constitutional amendment bills in order to accelerate its passage.

He said extensive consultations have already taken place involving the leadership of the National Assembly, including Senator Barau I. Jibrin and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, as well as the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and security leadership including the Inspector-General of Police.

Bamidele stated: “Our position is very clear on state police… there cannot be a better time to establish a state police than now.”

He added that the proposal is expected to move swiftly through legislative stages this week, describing it as a response to “national exigency.”

Under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, the bill must secure approval from at least two-thirds of state assemblies before it can be transmitted for presidential assent.

“The president is also with us on this proposal,” Bamidele said, adding that governors and state legislatures are widely expected to support it.

Section 214 (1) of the 1999 Constitution currently establishes the Nigeria Police Force as the country’s sole policing institution.

Recall that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, had previously indicated that President Tinubu would receive a comprehensive report on the proposed state police structure as consultations near completion.

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