The Senate will this week commence consideration of a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, in what lawmakers describe as a major step toward overhauling Nigeria’s security framework.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday by the Senate Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, indicating that the proposal has secured the backing of critical stakeholders across the federation.
Bamidele said the amendment to the 1999 Constitution is expected to receive legislative attention during the week, expressing confidence that the bill would scale through the National Assembly before being transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for ratification.
According to him, consultations held by the leadership of the National Assembly with key government officials and security stakeholders have strengthened consensus on the need for state policing as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
The Senate Leader revealed that the engagements involved the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant stakeholders.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu and all 36 state governors are supportive of the proposal, describing the current momentum as unprecedented in the long-running debate over state police.
“Virtually all stakeholders are on the same page on the establishment of state police,” Bamidele was quoted as saying.
He explained that the constitutional amendment, if passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, would require approval by no fewer than 24 State Houses of Assembly before it could be forwarded to the President for assent.
The renewed push for state police comes amid sustained calls for decentralisation of policing powers, with advocates arguing that sub-national police structures would enhance intelligence gathering, improve community policing and strengthen the fight against insecurity nationwide.