The House of Representatives has commenced consideration of President Bola Tinubu’s executive bill seeking to establish state police, indicating its readiness to adopt the version already approved by the Senate with only minor modifications.
The move marks a significant milestone in the ongoing constitutional amendment process aimed at creating a multi-tier policing system to tackle Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
Speaking during a meeting of the House Committee on Constitution Review on Monday, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Benjamin Kalu, said lawmakers would undertake a clause-by-clause examination of the executive bill, using the Senate-passed version as the committee’s primary working document.
Kalu explained that the House was not expected to make substantial changes because both versions of the legislation were largely identical.
“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.
He added that the executive bill closely mirrors the earlier proposal considered by the House, requiring only limited adjustments.
“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 stated.
According to him, the Senate introduced about eight minor amendments, including provisions relating to interpretation, transitional arrangements and implementation, all of which would be reviewed 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.
The Senate also introduced about eight minor clauses with slight adjustments that are not too significant.
“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 before the National Assembly proceeded on recess, the House had passed its own Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police on June 11.
However, following the submission of President Tinubu’s executive proposal, lawmakers reversed that decision on July 14 to allow consideration of the President’s bill.
“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 said.
The Deputy Speaker noted that the President, as Commander-in-Chief, was well positioned to propose comprehensive constitutional reforms capable of addressing the country’s security challenges.
He disclosed that the executive bill had already passed first and second readings in the House, while stakeholder consultations conducted during the National Assembly Open Week effectively fulfilled the public hearing requirement.
Kalu described the legislation as one of President Tinubu’s signature constitutional reform initiatives, noting that the President had consistently advocated decentralised policing since his tenure as Governor of Lagos State.
“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.
He stressed that both the executive and legislature were united in pursuing improved national security.
“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,” Kalu said.
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The Deputy Speaker explained that lawmakers convened on Monday, despite the House traditionally sitting from Tuesday, because of the urgency attached to the legislation.
“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 stated.
Kalu further revealed that both chambers of the National Assembly were working closely to ensure the amendment process was concluded without delay.
“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.
The proposal to establish state police has remained one of Nigeria’s most debated constitutional reforms for more than two decades.
Supporters argue that the country’s centrally controlled policing structure has become overstretched and is no longer capable of responding effectively to increasingly localised security threats, while advocates say state police would strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times and enhance community policing.
Opponents, however, have expressed concerns that governors could abuse state police for political purposes, particularly during elections and periods of heightened political tension.
To address these fears, the proposed constitutional amendment contains safeguards governing the establishment, funding, oversight and operations of state police services.
If approved by both chambers of the National Assembly, endorsed by at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly and signed into law by President Tinubu, the legislation would represent one of the most significant reforms of Nigeria’s policing architecture since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.