The Senate on Wednesday passed the constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police across the country, marking a major step towards the decentralisation of policing in Nigeria.
The approval followed clause-by-clause consideration of the proposal by lawmakers during plenary, with senators adopting manual voting to determine positions on the amendment.
The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force as part of efforts to tackle growing insecurity across the country.
During the consideration of the proposal, senators voted on various provisions of the bill, which has attracted widespread public debate over the years.
The Senate adopted manual voting after concerns that faulty electronic voting devices could disenfranchise some lawmakers during the exercise.
Several prominent government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, witnessed the proceedings.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio had appealed to lawmakers to allow governors and other senior government officials into the chamber to observe deliberations on the proposed reform, noting that state legislatures would play a crucial role in the amendment process.
The bill enjoys the backing of President Bola Tinubu and has been presented as part of broader efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture and improve responses to local security challenges.
With the Senate’s approval, the constitutional amendment will now proceed to the state Houses of Assembly, where it must secure the endorsement of at least 24 of the 36 legislatures before it can be transmitted for presidential assent.
If eventually enacted, the legislation will allow each state to establish its own police force while the Nigeria Police Force retains responsibility for national security functions, including counter-terrorism, border security and organised crime.
