The House of Representatives has withdrawn its own constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, opting instead to consider the Executive-sponsored proposal submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The decision marks a significant turning point in Nigeria’s long-running debate over state policing and signals a coordinated effort between the Executive and the National Assembly to pursue a unified legal framework for the reform.
The resolution was reached during Tuesday’s plenary after lawmakers agreed that continuing with two separate bills on the same subject could complicate the legislative process. Consequently, the House rescinded its earlier decision on the state police amendment bill and dissolved the conference committee that had been set up to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the proposal.
Following the withdrawal of its own bill, the House immediately gave the Executive-backed State Police Bill its first and second readings before referring it to the House Committee on Constitution Review for detailed legislative scrutiny. Lawmakers explained that the move does not indicate opposition to the establishment of state police but rather reflects a desire to ensure a single, comprehensive constitutional amendment process capable of addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The proposed legislation is expected to define the legal framework, structure, powers, oversight mechanisms and operational guidelines for state police across the federation. Supporters argue that decentralised policing will strengthen security by allowing states to respond more effectively to local threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes. However, critics continue to raise concerns that state police could be abused by some governors for political purposes if adequate constitutional safeguards are not put in place.
The committee handling the bill is expected to consult stakeholders, review the provisions thoroughly and recommend necessary amendments before presenting its report to the House. If eventually approved by both chambers of the National Assembly, the constitutional amendment must still receive the endorsement of at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s State Houses of Assembly before it can become law.
