State Police Bill Clears Senate Hurdle as Lawmakers Back Landmark Security Reform

Matilda Omonaiye/

The Senate has passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of State Police, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reform its security architecture and tackle growing security challenges across the country.

The landmark legislation scaled third reading after a rigorous clause-by-clause consideration and secured the support of more than two-thirds of senators through a manual voting process conducted on the floor of the Red Chamber.

The bill was passed following the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented by the Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin.

Lawmakers first examined the provisions at the Committee of the Whole before adopting them and proceeding to a final vote.

Leading debate on the bill, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele urged lawmakers to support what he described as a critical constitutional reform designed to strengthen internal security, improve response to local threats and bring policing closer to the people.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish a state policing framework that would operate alongside the existing federal police structure, effectively ending the Federal Government’s exclusive control of policing in Nigeria.
One of the key provisions empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the relevant State Houses of Assembly. The bill also defines the operational relationship between governors and state police commands.
Under Section 17(6), 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.
Clause 17 further provides that while the Nigeria Police Force will continue to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police, each State Police Service shall be led by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state legislature.

To address concerns over possible abuse of the proposed policing structure by state governments, lawmakers incorporated safeguards aimed at protecting political freedoms and civil liberties.
Section 17(7) specifically stipulates that a State Commissioner of Police shall not arrest, detain, investigate or deploy force against any individual, political party or group solely for criticising the government, except in accordance with the law.

The provision is designed to prevent state police formations from being used as tools of political intimidation against opposition figures, journalists, activists or dissenting voices, while ensuring that all law enforcement 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 opted for a manual voting process following concerns that technical issues affecting some voting devices could disenfranchise senators and undermine the credibility of the exercise.

The decision followed a motion moved by Senator Bamidele, who argued that every senator should have an equal opportunity to participate in what many described as a historic constitutional vote. Senate President Godswill Akpabio endorsed the proposal, insisting that an open voting system would guarantee full participation and enhance transparency by allowing Nigerians to know where their representatives stood on critical constitutional issues.
Several senior government officials witnessed the proceedings, including Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Prince 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 the consideration of the constitutional amendment bills.

The successful passage of the State Police Bill is widely regarded as one of the most consequential constitutional reforms undertaken by the 10th National Assembly and could fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s policing system if it secures the remaining constitutional approvals required for implementation.