By Rejoice Peterside
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of State Police in Nigeria, following overwhelming support from lawmakers during plenary.
The bill scaled Third Reading after 289 members voted in favour, one voted against, while no lawmaker abstained from the exercise.
Attendance before voting was confirmed at 290 members, meeting the constitutional requirement for amendment of the 1999 Constitution.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend Sections 214 to 216 and other relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to allow states establish and operate their own police structures.
The House said the bill forms part of broader constitutional reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges through decentralised policing.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, said the passage of the bill marked a significant step towards strengthening the country’s security architecture.
According to him, security remains the foundation for national development and stability.
“By passing this Bill, the House has taken a decisive constitutional step towards creating a policing framework that is more responsive to local realities while remaining firmly anchored within the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, described the outcome as a reflection of growing national consensus on the need for security sector reforms.
He said the decision showed the House’s commitment to improving governance and ensuring more effective policing across the federation.
The House noted that the State Police proposal includes provisions for coordination, oversight and accountability between federal and state policing authorities.
Other constitutional amendment bills under consideration cover electoral reforms, judicial reforms, local government administration, fiscal reforms, devolution of powers, human rights and institutional strengthening.
The House reiterated its commitment to an inclusive and transparent constitutional review process aimed at deepening democracy and improving security nationwide.
