morganable politics/legislative affairs
The Deputy Speaker revealed that the Senate introduced about eight minor amendments, including new provisions covering interpretation, transitional arrangements and implementation mechanisms, all of which would be carefully examined by the House committee.
kaNo —
The House of Representatives has commenced clause-by-clause consideration of President Bola Tinubu’s executive bill seeking to establish state police, signaling its readiness to adopt the version already approved by the Senate with only minor adjustments.
The move marks a significant milestone in the ongoing constitutional amendment process aimed at creating a multi-layer policing system to tackle Nigeria’s growing security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, disclosed this on Monday during a meeting of the committee, where lawmakers began scrutinising the proposed legislation.
Kalu said the committee would use the Senate-approved version of the bill as its primary working document, noting that the executive proposal is substantially similar to the one earlier considered by the House.
“The purpose of today’s meeting is to consider the executive bill clause by clause and make appropriate recommendations to the House. We must note that the Senate has already considered and adopted the bill with certain amendments, and copies of that version have been circulated to members. This document will serve as our working draft throughout this exercise,” he said.
“On the clause-by-clause consideration, the executive bill is substantially similar to what we have previously worked on, with only minor adjustments. Therefore, we do not anticipate any major departure from the work already undertaken,” Kalu added.
Senate Introduces Eight Amendments
The Deputy Speaker revealed that the Senate introduced about eight minor amendments, including new provisions covering interpretation, transitional arrangements and implementation mechanisms, all of which would be carefully examined by the House committee.
“You will see the introduction of Section 318 dealing with interpretation, as well as transitional and saving provisions to facilitate the implementation and operationalisation of the state police framework, together with other consequential amendments” he said
“So, as we proceed with this amendment process, we shall take into consideration the work already done by the Senate and adopt it where applicable,” he added
Kalu recalled that the House had initially passed its Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police on June 11 before proceeding on recess.
However, lawmakers later rescinded that decision on July 14 after President Tinubu transmitted an executive bill on the same subject to the National Assembly.
“You may recall that on June 11, before the recess, the House considered and passed the Police Constitution Alteration Bill. However, following the introduction of an executive bill by the President, that decision was reversed by the House on July 14 to enable consideration of the Executive Bill coming from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” he explained.
Bill Passes First,Second Reading
Kalu further disclosed that the executive bill had already passed first and second readings in the House, while consultations held during the National Assembly Open Week had effectively fulfilled the public hearing requirement.
Describing the proposed legislation as one of President Tinubu’s signature constitutional reform initiatives, the Deputy Speaker said the President had consistently advocated decentralised policing long before assuming office.
“I must emphasise that the State Police Bill remains one of the signature constitutional reform initiatives of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu. As Governor of Lagos State, he was among the earliest advocates of multi-layered policing as a strategic solution to Nigeria’s security challenges. Today, as President, he is championing the same cause, demonstrating consistency between his convictions and his actions,” he said.
“As we have always argued, although we are three arms of government, we are one government. There is a national objective, and all we do is align ourselves with it, especially when that objective is in the best interest of Nigerians. Today, there is a national consensus that security must remain at the forefront of governance, and both the executive and the legislature are committed to achieving that objective,” he stated.
He also explained why lawmakers convened on Monday despite the House traditionally sitting on Tuesdays, saying the urgency of the legislation required immediate attention.
“We are here today not because it is convenient for us. Our parliamentary week ordinarily begins on Tuesday, but duty calls, and time is of the essence. We are joining hands with the executive to ensure that this collaborative effort results in the successful passage of this priority constitutional amendment,” he said.
National Assembly Working To Ensure Seamless Amendment Process
The Deputy Speaker added that both chambers of the National Assembly were working closely to ensure the constitutional amendment process is completed without unnecessary delays.
“Historically, the House and the Senate are working in tandem to ensure this significant constitutional amendment is achieved. I am confident that once it returns to the executive, it will receive expeditious assent,” he said.
Supporters argue that the country’s centrally controlled policing structure has become overstretched and is increasingly unable to respond effectively to localised security threats.
They believe empowering states to establish and manage their own police services would improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing and enhance response to crime.
However, critics have repeatedly warned that state police could be exploited by state governors to intimidate political opponents, especially during elections and periods of heightened political tension.
To address such concerns, the proposed constitutional amendment is expected to include safeguards regulating the establishment, funding, oversight and operations of state police formations to prevent abuse.
For the legislation to become law, it must secure passage by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, receive approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, and obtain presidential assent.
If enacted, the measure would constitute one of the most significant reforms of Nigeria’s policing architecture since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
