House of Reps dumps own State Police Bill, adopts Tinubu’s proposal

The House of Representatives on Tuesday dropped its own constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police and adopted President Bola Tinubu’s proposal as the basis for legislative action, marking a major step in Nigeria’s push to decentralise policing.

The Executive-sponsored Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, transmitted by President Tinubu, scaled first and second readings during plenary before being referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for detailed scrutiny.

The development effectively sidelines the House’s earlier proposal on state policing and signals lawmakers’ preference to harmonise efforts around the President’s bill as momentum builds for far-reaching security reforms.

The constitutional review committee is expected to examine the proposed legal framework, safeguards and operational structure for the establishment of state police services across the federation before reporting back to the full House for further legislative consideration.

In a letter to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, President Tinubu said the bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide the legal basis for the creation of state police services as part of his administration’s broader plan to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

According to the President, the proposed legislation builds on previous work already undertaken by the House of Representatives while introducing additional safeguards to ensure the effective operation of a dual policing system involving federal and state law enforcement agencies.

“I am delighted to present to the House of Representatives for consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police Services,” Tinubu stated.

He said the proposed framework was designed to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges by creating a more responsive and efficient policing system capable of meeting local security needs.

The President described the legislation as a critical pillar of his administration’s security reform agenda, expressing confidence that lawmakers would expedite its passage.

“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I am confident that the House of Representatives will act quickly to consider and pass this Bill,” Tinubu added.

The House’s decision comes barely two weeks after the Senate passed a similar constitutional amendment bill on state police, bringing the National Assembly closer to what could become one of the most significant security reforms since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.