The National Assembly is set to accelerate the long-debated constitutional amendment on the creation of state police, with lawmakers expected to consider and approve the proposal before the end of the week, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has said.
Bamidele disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a press briefing, noting that the Constitution Review Committee had concluded arrangements to present its final report for legislative consideration.
According to him, the proposal, once passed by the National Assembly, will be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for ratification, in line with constitutional requirements, before being forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
The move marks one of the most significant legislative pushes in recent years aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s policing architecture amid worsening security concerns across the country.
Bamidele, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, said consultations had been intensified with key stakeholders, including the Presidency, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Nigeria Police leadership.
He said the engagement process involved the leadership of the Constitution Review Committees of both chambers of the National Assembly, led by Senators and members of the House of Representatives working jointly on the reform.
“There have been a series of meetings between the National Assembly and relevant stakeholders in the last one week,” he said.
“We have met with the Attorney-General, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Inspector-General of Police and others. That is why I can say confidently that we are moving this week.”
He added that lawmakers had resolved to isolate the state police bill from other constitutional amendment proposals to ensure swift consideration and passage.
Bamidele also stated that President Bola Tinubu had shown support for the proposed policing framework, alongside a majority of state governors who, according to him, are in alignment with the reform direction.
He expressed optimism that the bill would progress quickly once transmitted to state assemblies.
“The President is also with us. I’m sure he is eager to receive the bill for assent,” he said.
Calls for decentralised policing in Nigeria have intensified over the years following rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and communal violence.
The idea, which gained prominence during the 2014 National Conference, has remained contentious due to concerns that state-controlled police forces could be abused by governors to suppress opposition or restrict civil liberties.
In response to insecurity challenges, several regional security outfits have emerged, including Amotekun in the South-West, Ebube Agu in the South-East, and Hisbah operations in parts of the North.
Ahead of the constitutional amendment push, Senate President Godswill Akpabio had previously disclosed plans for a National State Police Commission.
The proposed commission is expected to regulate recruitment, training, discipline, promotion, and operational standards of state police formations across the federation.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional amendment process, the bill must secure approval by two-thirds of members of both chambers of the National Assembly and be ratified by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before presidential assent.
FOLLOW US
More details here…
