The Senate has defended the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, maintaining that the proposed constitutional amendment is aimed at addressing the country’s deepening security challenges rather than serving any political agenda.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs of the Office of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, described the legislation as “a child of necessity and not of political expediency,” stressing that it was the product of extensive consultations across the country and not partisan considerations.
The bill, which seeks to establish state police and introduce a dual policing system, was passed by the House of Representatives on June 11, 2026, before securing Senate approval on June 24, 2026.
Bamidele said the growing security threats confronting the nation had made the creation of state police an urgent national concern that should not be viewed through a political lens.
He explained that the proposal was not a recent development but the culmination of years of constitutional review efforts and sustained engagement with stakeholders.
“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.
According to him, the proposal was among the memoranda submitted to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and subsequently underwent extensive consultations because of its far-reaching implications.
He noted that the National Assembly engaged a broad range of stakeholders throughout the process, including the Executive, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, and the leadership of the Nigeria Police.
Bamidele further disclosed that public hearings held across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025 recorded overwhelming support for the establishment of state police.
“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.
The Senate Leader also acknowledged the role played by the Nigeria Police in shaping the proposed amendment, noting that several of its recommendations were adopted to strengthen oversight and accountability measures designed to prevent abuse by political office holders.
He said the backing of the police leadership further reinforced the importance of state policing as a strategy for tackling insecurity at the state and local levels.
Bamidele added that the bill was thoroughly debated by lawmakers in both chambers of the National Assembly before it was eventually passed.
“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 revealed that 84 out of the 109 senators supported the bill during the clause-by-clause consideration stage, representing 77.06 per cent approval in the upper chamber.
Emphasising that security should not be subjected to partisan interests, Bamidele described it as “a collective public good that benefits citizens across ethnic, political, and religious divides.”
He urged opposition parties to focus on offering constructive contributions that would enhance peace and stability rather than turning security reforms into political contests.
“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.
The proposed constitutional amendment has now been transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, where it must secure approval from at least 24 state legislatures before being forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
If ratified, the legislation will create a dual policing framework comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services. Under the arrangement, the Federal Police will continue to handle matters relating to national security, terrorism, cybercrime and interstate offences, while state police formations will be responsible for local law enforcement and public safety within their respective jurisdictions.
The bill also contains provisions intended to guard against political interference. Governors will appoint State Commissioners of Police subject to confirmation by their respective State Houses of Assembly, while any removal will require a recommendation from the National Police Council and approval by a two-thirds majority of the state legislature.
In addition, every state will establish a State Police Service Commission to oversee recruitment, promotions and disciplinary matters. No State Police Service will be allowed to commence operations until it has been certified by the National Assembly as meeting nationally approved operational standards.
