The Senate on Wednesday took a decisive step toward restructuring Nigeria’s security framework by passing the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of state police across the federation.
The landmark legislation, considered one of the most significant constitutional reforms in recent years, secured the support of more than two-thirds of senators following an extensive clause-by-clause review and a manual voting exercise on the floor of the upper chamber.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage of the bill after lawmakers overwhelmingly voted in favour of the proposal during plenary.
The bill was approved after the Senate considered a report presented by Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, Barau Jibrin.
Opening debate on the legislation, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele urged lawmakers to support the amendment, describing it as a critical response to Nigeria’s growing security challenges and the need for more effective policing at the grassroots level.
The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to establish a dual policing structure, allowing state police services to operate alongside the existing federal police system.
A major provision of the bill empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police, subject to confirmation by their respective state Houses of Assembly.
Under the amendment, while the Federal Police Service will continue to be led by the Inspector-General of Police, each state police command will be headed by a commissioner appointed by the governor and approved by the state legislature.
The legislation also grants governors authority to issue lawful policy directives relating to public safety and order within their states.
To address concerns about possible abuse of state police by political office holders, lawmakers included safeguards aimed at protecting civil liberties and democratic rights.
The bill expressly prohibits state police commissioners from arresting, detaining, investigating or deploying force against individuals, political parties or groups solely for criticising the government, except as provided by law.
The Senate adopted a manual voting process for the exercise after shelving plans to use electronic voting due to technical concerns that could have affected participation by some lawmakers.
Supporting the switch, Bamidele argued that every senator deserved an equal opportunity to take part in what he described as a historic constitutional vote.
Akpabio also backed the move, saying public voting would promote transparency and enable Nigerians to know where their representatives stand on key national issues.
Among prominent figures who witnessed the proceedings were Uba Sani, Dapo Abiodun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Femi Gbajabiamila.
The passage of the bill marks a major legislative victory for advocates of state policing, who have long argued that Nigeria’s centrally controlled police system is overstretched and unable to adequately address rising cases of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
However, concerns remain among critics who fear that state police could be exploited by governors to target political opponents and suppress dissent.
The bill will now proceed to the next stage of the constitutional amendment process, including consideration by state Houses of Assembly, before it can become part of the Constitution.
