Reps Drop Own State Police Bill, Adopt Tinubu’s Constitutional Proposal

The House of Representatives has withdrawn its proposed constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police and opted to consider a similar proposal submitted by President Bola Tinubu.

 

The decision was reached during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers gave the Executive-sponsored State Police Bill its first and second readings before referring it to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.

 

The move effectively puts the House’s earlier proposal on hold as lawmakers focus on the bill transmitted by the President.

 

Tinubu had formally forwarded the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, to the House, seeking constitutional backing for the creation and operation of state police services across the country.

 

In a letter addressed to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the President said the bill was designed to provide a legal framework for a dual policing structure involving federal and state law enforcement agencies.

 

Tinubu said the proposal builds on previous efforts by the House and introduces safeguards to ensure effective implementation of state police.

 

According to him, the reform would help address Nigeria’s security challenges by creating a more responsive policing system.

 

“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens,” the President said.

 

The Executive bill will now undergo further scrutiny at the committee stage before returning to the chamber for additional consideration.

 

The development comes weeks after the Senate passed a similar constitutional amendment proposal seeking the establishment of state police services nationwide.