House of Representatives Drops State Police Bill, Moves to Consider Tinubu’s Proposal
The House of Representatives has withdrawn its own constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police and has resolved to consider the Executive-sponsored proposal submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The decision was announced during Tuesday’s plenary session, marking a significant development in the ongoing effort to reform Nigeria’s policing system and strengthen the country’s response to growing security challenges. By stepping down its earlier proposal, the House has chosen to focus on the President’s constitutional amendment bill, which seeks to provide a unified legal framework for the creation of state police across the federation.
During the plenary, lawmakers gave the Executive-backed bill its first and second readings before referring it to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative consideration. The committee is expected to examine the provisions of the bill, receive inputs from stakeholders and report back to the House before the proposal proceeds to the next stages of the constitutional amendment process.
The latest development reflects the National Assembly’s decision to harmonise legislative efforts on one of Nigeria’s most significant security reforms rather than pursuing separate constitutional amendment bills on the same subject. Lawmakers believe that consolidating the proposals will streamline deliberations and reduce duplication in the legislative process.
President Tinubu’s proposal seeks to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force. The proposed framework aims to decentralise policing while maintaining federal responsibility for national security issues such as terrorism, organised crime and border protection.
The push for state police has gained momentum amid persistent security challenges across Nigeria, including terrorism in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central, communal clashes in several states and other violent crimes affecting different parts of the country. Supporters of the reform argue that state-controlled police forces would improve intelligence gathering, enhance emergency response and enable security personnel to better understand local communities.
Advocates of decentralised policing have long argued that governors, who are constitutionally recognised as chief security officers of their states, should have greater operational control over policing within their jurisdictions. They believe the current centrally controlled policing system has become overstretched in responding to Nigeria’s diverse security threats.
However, the proposal has also generated debate among legal experts, political leaders and civil society groups. Some stakeholders have expressed concerns that state police could be abused by state governments for political purposes or used to intimidate opponents. Others have questioned whether financially weaker states would be able to adequately fund and manage their own police forces while maintaining professional standards.
The constitutional amendment will still undergo further legislative scrutiny before it can become law. If eventually passed by the National Assembly, it must also secure the approval of at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can be assented to by the President as required for constitutional amendments.
The House’s decision to prioritise the Executive-sponsored bill is expected to accelerate discussions on state policing, a reform that has dominated national security debates for years. As lawmakers continue deliberations, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the proposed constitutional changes ultimately reshape the country’s security architecture and strengthen efforts to combat rising insecurity.
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