The Senate has announced plans to consider and advance legislation aimed at establishing state police across Nigeria this week, according to Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
Bamidele disclosed that the proposed constitutional amendment, which seeks to create a legal framework for state policing, will be treated as a priority by the National Assembly due to its importance to national security and governance. Once passed by the National Assembly, the bill will be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval.
In a statement issued on Monday through his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Bamidele said there is broad consensus among key stakeholders nationwide on the need to establish state police. He noted that the National Assembly, the Presidency, state governors, and other relevant institutions are aligned on the proposal.
According to him, the Senate will devote significant attention to the matter during the legislative week beginning on Tuesday, with the state police bill topping its agenda.
Bamidele explained that lawmakers have resolved to separate the state police proposal from other ongoing constitutional amendment bills in order to fast-track its passage. He said the urgency of the country’s security challenges makes it necessary to accelerate the legislative process.
The Senate Leader stated that consultations have intensified in recent weeks among major stakeholders, including the National Assembly’s Constitution Review Committees, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, the Inspector-General of Police, and other government officials.
He expressed confidence that the bill would make substantial progress this week, stressing that there was no justification for further delays.
“Our position on state police is clear. Nigerians across the country have indicated that this is the right time to establish state police, and we are committed to translating that popular demand into reality through legislation,” Bamidele said.
He added that after passage by the National Assembly, the amendment would require the approval of at least two-thirds of the state assemblies before being transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
Bamidele further stated that President Tinubu supports the initiative, while many state governors and state legislatures have also expressed readiness to back the proposal.
The move seeks to amend Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which currently provides for a single Nigeria Police Force as the country’s national policing institution.
The renewed push for state police comes amid growing concerns over insecurity across various parts of the country and increasing calls for a decentralized policing structure that would allow states to play a greater role in maintaining law and order.
Recently, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, revealed that President Tinubu would soon receive a comprehensive report on the proposed state police framework as consultations on its constitutional and operational structure near completion.
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