The move signals the commencement of the final constitutional phase for the proposed amendment, which has gained momentum following its approval by the Senate
The National Assembly has concluded plans to transmit the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of state police to the 36 state Houses of Assembly.
The development follows the recent passage of the landmark constitutional amendment by the Senate, with federal lawmakers now shifting focus to securing approval from at least 24 state legislatures, as required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, before forwarding the bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed the planned transmission in an interview on Sunday, noting that all necessary administrative processes had been completed and that both state governments and legislatures were already expecting the document.
“The state governors are expecting it too, even with their presence in the Senate chamber when the bill was being considered and passed.”he added
The move signals the commencement of the final constitutional phase for the proposed amendment, which has gained momentum following its approval by the Senate after a clause-by-clause consideration of the report submitted by the Committee on the Review of the Constitution, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
Under the proposed arrangement, the federal police would retain exclusive jurisdiction over critical issues such as terrorism, border protection, cybercrime, arms trafficking and other offences of national significance.
State police, on the other hand, would focus on local law enforcement, community policing and internal security within their respective jurisdictions.
Lawmakers say the reform is designed to address longstanding concerns about the inefficiencies of a highly centralised policing system, particularly in the face of rising insecurity across the country.
However, concerns about the potential abuse of state-controlled police forces have remained a major point of contention in public discourse.
Critics have argued that governors could deploy such forces to intimidate political opponents or suppress dissent.
In response, the National Assembly incorporated several safeguards into the bill aimed at preventing misuse.
These include explicit provisions prohibiting state police authorities from targeting individuals or groups based on political opinions or criticism of government policies.
The amendment also empowers the Federal Government to intervene in situations where state police operations threaten national security, result in a breakdown of public order, or violate fundamental human rights.
The proposal has attracted broad support from key stakeholders across the country.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria had earlier endorsed the bill, pledging to ensure thorough legislative consideration at the state level.
Its Chairman and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, assured Nigerians that state assemblies would subject the bill to detailed scrutiny, including public hearings and stakeholder consultations, before making their decisions.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia described the Senate’s passage of the bill as a “landmark step” towards strengthening the nation’s security architecture.
He argued that state police would be better positioned to understand local terrain and community dynamics, thereby improving intelligence gathering and response to crime.
Similarly, the Forum of Progressive Speakers of State Legislatures, operating under the All Progressives Congress, has pledged to facilitate the swift ratification of the amendment in APC-controlled assemblies while ensuring robust oversight mechanisms to guarantee professionalism and respect for human rights.
Political parties have also weighed in on the debate.
The Labour Party expressed support for the proposal, describing it as a significant milestone in the effort to strengthen internal security through community-based policing.
While acknowledging concerns about potential abuse, the party said it was confident that the safeguards embedded in the bill would prevent misuse.
In contrast, the Peoples Redemption Party has opposed the initiative, questioning both its timing and the credibility of the current administration to oversee such a fundamental restructuring of the country’s policing system.
The party urged Nigerians to reject the proposal, warning of possible political manipulation.
Lawmakers in the various Houses of Assembly are expected to conduct public hearings, engage stakeholders and deliberate extensively on the proposal before voting.
To secure passage, the bill must be approved by at least two-thirds of the state assemblies—equivalent to 24 states—before it can proceed to the President for assent.
If successful, the reform would mark a historic shift in Nigeria’s governance structure, potentially ending decades of debate over the decentralisation of policing and introducing a new model of security management tailored to local realities.
Meanwhile, the Senate has defended its decision to pass the bill, insisting that it reflects a response to the country’s worsening security situation rather than political considerations.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the proposal was the outcome of extensive consultations, public engagements and a broad national consensus.
He dismissed suggestions that the amendment was driven by political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing it instead as “a child of necessity.”
“The establishment of state police has become a matter of urgent national importance that should not be sacrificed on the altar of political ambition,” Bamidele said.
As the bill moves to the state assemblies, attention has shifted to how lawmakers across the federation navigate the complex balance between enhancing security and safeguarding democratic freedom.
