The House of Representatives is set to vote on a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, stated this while briefing members of the House of Representatives Press Corps at the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Kalu, who also Chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, described the proposed amendment as a major legislative step toward addressing the country’s growing security challenges.
According to him, the proposal reflects increasing public concern over insecurity and the need for stronger policing structures nationwide.
“The security of lives and property is the primary purpose of government,” he said, adding that the legislature must work alongside the executive arm to address the nation’s security situation.
The Deputy Speaker stated that while the National Assembly had continued to exercise oversight by summoning Security Chiefs and relevant agencies, lawmakers also have a responsibility to provide legislative solutions capable of improving security outcomes.
He noted that the current policing structure under Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, does not provide for state police, making constitutional amendments necessary.
Kalu said the Constitution Review Committee had prioritised security-related amendments, describing the state police proposal as a critical response to the country’s security concerns.
He added that the proposal had received support from key stakeholders, including the Inspector-General of Police, state governors and the executive arm of government.
The Deputy Speaker also dismissed reports suggesting that there were attempts to frustrate the bill, insisting that lawmakers remained committed to its passage.
He expressed optimism that if approved by the National Assembly, the amendment would receive swift consideration by the 36 state Houses of Assembly before being transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Kalu further called on lawmakers currently on oversight assignments across the country to return to Abuja ahead of Thursday’s sitting
