AWC POLITICAL DESK
…311 Lawmakers Vote Yes as Opposition Caucus Walks Out Over Procedure; Bill Now Heads to State Assemblies for Final Constitutional Threshold
Nigeria has moved a major step closer to establishing state police following the passage of the State Police Establishment Bill by the House of Representatives, marking one of the most significant constitutional reform efforts in the country’s history of security restructuring.
The bill, which seeks to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to allow states to establish their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force, was passed by the House on July 23, 2026, after it secured the required constitutional majority.
A total of 311 members of the House of Representatives voted in favour of the executive constitutional amendment bill, exceeding the two-thirds majority requirement needed for constitutional alteration.
The passage followed the earlier approval of the proposal by the Senate, bringing the country closer to a major change in its policing architecture.
Historic Shift from Exclusive Federal Control
For decades, policing in Nigeria has been under the exclusive control of the Federal Government through the Nigeria Police Force. However, rising insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and other violent crimes, has intensified calls for a decentralised policing system.
Supporters of state police argue that state governments, being closer to local communities, understand their security challenges better and can respond faster to threats.
The proposed amendment seeks to move policing matters from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, allowing both federal and state governments to participate in policing.
Under the proposed framework:
- The Federal Government will continue to operate the Nigeria Police Force.
- States that meet constitutional requirements will be allowed to establish state police services.
- State police formations will operate within legal and constitutional safeguards.
Key Safeguards Included in the Bill
The legislation incorporates measures designed to address longstanding concerns that state police could be abused by governors for political purposes.
Among the safeguards are:
1. Direct Funding Mechanism
The bill provides for a structured funding arrangement aimed at ensuring that state police commands are not completely dependent on governors for financial survival.
The proposed framework seeks to guarantee operational independence and prevent political interference through financial control.
2. Protection Against Political Abuse
The amendment includes provisions aimed at preventing state police from being used to harass political opponents, critics or citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
The legislation also provides legal mechanisms to ensure accountability.
3. Federal Intervention in National Emergencies
The President would retain powers to intervene in state police operations under exceptional national security circumstances, subject to constitutional limitations.
Minority Walkout: Opposition Raises Procedural Concerns
The passage was not without controversy.
Members of the minority caucus in the House staged a walkout after the voting process, citing alleged breaches of legislative procedure.
Although the opposition lawmakers expressed support for the concept of state police generally, they objected to aspects of the process adopted during consideration of the bill.
They argued that proper legislative procedures were not fully followed before the vote was conducted.
However, the majority leadership of the House maintained that due process was followed and that the bill was properly considered and passed.
What Happens Next? The Journey Towards Becoming Law
Despite passing through both chambers of the National Assembly, the State Police Bill is not yet law.
As a constitutional amendment, it must pass through additional stages before becoming part of Nigeria’s Constitution.
The next major hurdle is approval by the State Houses of Assembly.
According to constitutional requirements, at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 state legislatures — meaning a minimum of 24 state Houses of Assembly — must approve the amendment.
Once the required number of states endorse the amendment:
- The National Assembly will harmonise the approved version.
- The final constitutional amendment will be transmitted to the President.
- The President’s assent will complete the process.
Only after these steps will states have the constitutional authority to establish their own police services.
Concerns and Expectations
While many Nigerians have welcomed the move as a potential solution to the country’s security challenges, civil society groups and governance experts have cautioned that state police alone may not solve insecurity.
Some organisations have warned that issues such as:
- poor intelligence coordination,
- weak accountability structures,
- political interference,
- inadequate funding,
- human rights concerns,
must be addressed for state police to succeed.
Security analysts have also stressed that decentralised policing must be accompanied by strong oversight mechanisms, professional training and respect for citizens’ rights.
A New Chapter in Nigeria’s Security Debate
The passage of the State Police Establishment Bill represents a major turning point in Nigeria’s decades-long debate over security restructuring.
If it successfully completes the constitutional amendment process, Nigeria will move from a highly centralised policing model to a multi-level security structure where states can directly participate in maintaining law and order.
For supporters, it represents a long-awaited opportunity for faster and more community-based policing.
For critics, its success will depend on whether Nigeria can create strong institutions capable of preventing political misuse.
The coming months — especially the decisions of the 36 State Houses of Assembly — will determine whether state police becomes a reality or remains another uncompleted constitutional reform effort.
