Reps Pass Executive Bill Establishing State Police

The House of Representatives has passed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Bill to alter the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to establish State Police across Nigeria.

Presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the House voted overwhelmingly—with 289 lawmakers voting in favor and four against—clearing the landmark proposal to decentralize Nigeria’s internal security architecture and transition from a single centralized force to a multi-layered policing structure.

To prioritize and fast-track President Tinubu’s executive proposal, the House previously rescinded its own standalone Constitution Alteration Bill, aligning directly with the Executive framework to ensure smooth harmonization with the Senate.

Key Constitutional Alterations & Provisions

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                        CORE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL                     │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Section 214 Alteration : Formally establishes both Federal Police    │
│   and State Police as distinct constitutional entities.               │
│                                                                        │
│ • State Legislation     : No State Police force can operate without a  │
│   law passed by its State House of Assembly that meets national       │
│   minimum standards set by the National Assembly.                      │
│                                                                        │
│ • Command Structure     : State Commissioners of Police will be        │
│   appointed by State Governors on the advice of the Nigeria Police     │
│   Council, subject to confirmation by the State Assembly.             │
│                                                                        │
│ • Safeguards & Limits   : Federal Police may ONLY intervene in state   │
│   affairs during a total breakdown of law and order, upon a governor's│
│   request, or if a state force collapses operationally.               │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

(Sources: House Committee on Constitution Review & Plenary Report)

Key Legislative Quotations

Addressing plenary following the vote, leadership emphasized the collaborative legislative push and the urgency of addressing local security challenges:

“Security is the bedrock of national development. This legislation represents a decisive constitutional step toward a policing framework that is far more responsive to local realities while preserving the unity and sovereignty of the federation.” — Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives

“We are joining hands with the Executive to ensure that this collaborative effort results in the successful passage of this priority constitutional amendment. Although we are three arms of government, we are one government.” — Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker & Constitution Review Chairman

Next Steps in the Amendment Process

Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, passing the House is a critical step, but the bill must complete several remaining stages before becoming law:

1. Senate Concurrence: The Senate must pass the harmonized version by an identical two-thirds majority vote.

2. Sub-National Approval: The bill must be transmitted to all 36 State Houses of Assembly and secure the concurrence of at least 24 states (two-thirds).

3. Presidential Assent: Upon receiving the required sub-national approvals, the constitutional amendment will be transmitted back to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for final assent into law.

Ayodele Quadri

Correspondent