JUST IN: Senate passes state police bill

The Senate on Wednesday passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police across the federation.

The bill was passed after a rigorous clause-by-clause consideration, with more than two-thirds of senators voting in support through a manual voting process conducted on the floor of the chamber.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the passage following overwhelming backing by lawmakers during plenary.

The upper chamber approved the legislation after considering the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented by Deputy Senate President and committee chairman, Barau Jibrin.

The provisions of the bill were first examined at the Committee of the Whole, after which lawmakers adopted them and proceeded to a final vote.

Debate on the legislation was led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who urged his colleagues to support what many described as a critical reform aimed at strengthening internal security and improving response to local threats.

The legislation seeks to establish a state policing framework that will operate concurrently with the existing federal police system, effectively ending the Federal Government’s exclusive control of policing.

A key provision of the bill “empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the state Houses of Assembly.”

Under Clause 17 of the proposed constitutional amendment, “while the Federal Police Service will continue to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police, each State Police Service shall be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature of the state.”

The bill also defines the operational relationship between governors and state police commands.

Section 17(6) provides that “a governor may issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to the Commissioner of Police on matters relating to the maintenance of public safety and public order within the state.”

To address concerns over potential abuse, lawmakers introduced safeguards to protect  political freedoms and civil liberties.

Section 17(7) specifically states that “a state Commissioner of Police shall not arrest, detain, investigate or deploy force against any person, political party or group merely for criticising the government except in accordance with the law.”

“This provision is aimed at preventing state police formations from being weaponised against political opponents, activists, journalists or dissenting voices, ensuring that all actions comply with due process and existing legal frameworks.”

The passage of the bill came shortly after the Senate abandoned plans to deploy an electronic voting system for the consideration of the State Police Bill and other constitutional amendment proposals.

Lawmakers instead adopted a manual voting process following concerns that technical glitches affecting some devices could disenfranchise senators and undermine the integrity of the exercise.

The decision followed a motion by Bamidele, who argued that every senator must be given an equal opportunity to participate in the historic vote.

Akpabio supported the move, stating that an open voting system would guarantee full participation and promote transparency by allowing Nigerians to know where their representatives stand on critical constitutional issues.

Several senior government officials witnessed the proceedings, including Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Following the adoption of the motion, senators were called individually to publicly declare their votes during consideration of the constitutional amendment bills.

The successful passage of the State Police Bill represents one of the most consequential constitutional reforms undertaken by the 10th National Assembly and is expected to significantly reshape Nigeria’s security architecture if it secures the required approval of state Houses of Assembly and other constitutional processes.

Advocates of state policing have long argued that Nigeria’s centrally controlled police structure is overstretched and unable to effectively tackle growing challenges such as banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and communal clashes.

Critics, however, warn that state police could be abused by governors to intimidate political opponents and suppress dissent.

With the Senate’s approval, the proposal has now crossed a major legislative hurdle, bringing Nigeria closer to the establishment of state-controlled police services operating alongside the federal system.