By Abbanobi-Eku Onyeka
The Senate has moved to accelerate the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for the establishment of state police, with plans to transmit the proposed legislation to the 36 State Houses of Assembly this week after its passage by the National Assembly.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, saying there is broad national consensus on the need to create state police as part of efforts to address growing security challenges across the country.
According to him, key stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors and members of the National Assembly, are united in support of the proposal.
Bamidele said the National Assembly had resolved to separate the state police proposal from other constitutional amendment bills to ensure its speedy consideration and passage.
He explained that the urgency of the security situation and widespread public support for state policing made it necessary to fast-track the legislation.
“All stakeholders across the federation are on the same page with the National Assembly on the establishment of state police,” he said, adding that the issue would dominate the Senate’s legislative agenda during the week.
“It is going to be the subject we will be dealing with this week,” he stated.
Under the current constitutional framework, Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides for only one police force for the federation, known as the Nigeria Police Force. The proposed amendment seeks to allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the federal police structure.
The Senate Leader revealed that extensive consultations have been held in recent days among key government officials and stakeholders to finalise the framework for the proposed reform.
Those involved in the discussions include Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Barau I. Jibrin; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu; the Attorney-General of the Federation; the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, among others.
According to Bamidele, the consultations are nearing completion, clearing the way for legislative action.
He explained that once passed by the National Assembly, the bill would be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, where it must secure the approval of at least two-thirds of the state legislatures before it can be returned to the President for assent.
“The state assemblies are also waiting for this bill to come,” he said.
Bamidele expressed confidence that President Tinubu would promptly sign the bill into law once it completes the constitutional amendment process.
His remarks echoed earlier comments by Gbajabiamila, who disclosed that the President would soon receive a comprehensive report on the proposed establishment of state police as consultations on the constitutional framework approach conclusion.
The move represents one of the most significant constitutional reforms under consideration by the National Assembly and is expected to reshape Nigeria’s security architecture if successfully adopted by the states and signed into law.
