The Senate has defended the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, insisting that the proposed constitutional amendment is a response to the country’s growing security challenges rather than a politically motivated initiative.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs of the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele described the bill as “a child of necessity and not of political expediency”, adding that it emerged from broad national consultations rather than partisan interests.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, was passed by the House of Representatives on June 11, 2026, and by the Senate on June 24, 2026, marking a significant step towards introducing a dual policing system in Nigeria.
According to Bamidele, the proposal to establish state police has become an urgent national priority that should not be overshadowed by political considerations, given the country’s worsening security situation.
He noted that the idea of creating state police did not originate recently but had evolved through years of constitutional review and extensive stakeholder engagement.
“Observations have shown that Nigerians largely welcome the passage of the Bill with a conviction that it will significantly de-escalate the country’s security conditions at the sub-national level,” he said.
Bamidele explained that the proposal formed part of memoranda submitted to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and subsequently underwent rigorous consultations across the federation because of its sensitive nature.
Process
He said the National Assembly engaged key stakeholders throughout the process, including the Executive, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, and the leadership of the Nigerian police.
According to him, public hearings conducted across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025 received overwhelming support for the proposal.
“At each level of our consultation, nearly all stakeholders embraced the State Police Bill in the light of the stark realities we are facing today,” he stated.
Bamidele also highlighted the contributions of the Nigeria Police to the drafting of the constitutional amendment, saying many of its recommendations were incorporated to strengthen accountability and oversight mechanisms capable of preventing abuse by political office holders.
He added that the support of the Nigeria Police underscored the strategic importance of state policing in addressing insecurity at both state and local levels.
The Senate Leader further said the bill was subjected to extensive debate in both chambers of the National Assembly before its passage.
“Even though the APC is the majority, there are members of opposition parties – PDP, ADC, NDC, and the Labour Party – that exercised their discretion in favour of the Bill, mainly in the national interest and not on a parochial basis,” he said.
He disclosed that 84 of the 109 senators voted in favour of the bill during clause-by-clause consideration, representing a 77.06 per cent approval in the Senate.
Bamidele stressed that security should transcend partisan politics, describing it as “a collective public good that benefits citizens across ethnic, political, and religious divides”.
He urged opposition parties to contribute constructive ideas that would strengthen national peace and stability rather than politicise security reforms.
“Even when they disagree on some grounds, they are under obligations to provide credible and useful ideas that can make our nation better and greater. Unfortunately, they have not passed this critical test of opposition democracy,” he said.
State Police Bill
The proposed amendment of the bill has now been transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, where it requires approval by at least 24 state legislatures before it can be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for presidential assent.
If eventually ratified, the legislation will establish a dual policing structure comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services. While the Federal Police will retain responsibility for national security, terrorism, cybercrime, and interstate offences, state police will oversee local law enforcement and public safety within their respective states.
The bill also provides safeguards against political interference. Governors will appoint State Commissioners of Police subject to confirmation by their respective State Houses of Assembly, while any removal must be recommended by the National Police Council and approved by a two-thirds majority of the state legislature.
Each state will also be required to establish a State Police Service Commission to oversee recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary matters, while no State Police Service can commence operations until it has been certified by the National Assembly as meeting nationally prescribed operational standards.
Despite widespread support, the proposed constitutional amendment must still secure ratification by at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly.
