National Assembly Moves to Transmit State Police Bill to Tinubu

The National Assembly has commenced processes to transmit the proposed State Police Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent after confirming that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the constitutional amendment.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the number of approving state legislatures had exceeded the constitutional requirement of 24 states.

Ogunlana explained that the bill, which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services, was forwarded to all 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration and approval.

Although the 30-day period given to the state legislatures expired on October 15, he said his office would continue to receive their reports until the bill was transmitted for presidential assent.

He noted that the National Assembly had completed the administrative verification of the reports and accompanying Votes and Proceedings to confirm their authenticity and ensure that they accurately reflected the decisions of the state legislatures.

According to him, the 28 approvals satisfy the constitutional requirement under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that at least two-thirds of the 36 state assemblies must support a constitutional amendment.

The Clerk also clarified that Section 9 does not expressly require a third reading for a Constitution Alteration Bill, unlike the procedure for ordinary legislation.

He said the necessary administrative arrangements were being concluded to facilitate the bill’s transmission to Tinubu in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act.

The proposed reform is intended to introduce state-controlled police services alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force, which operates under the Federal Government.

Supporters of decentralised policing have argued that it would strengthen local intelligence gathering and improve responses to security threats, including kidnapping, banditry and communal violence.

However, concerns have persisted over the possibility of political interference, inadequate funding and human rights abuses under state-controlled police structures.

The National Assembly said it would continue to provide updates on the constitutional amendment process.