Constitution Alteration : House of Reps Passes State Police Bill
By Core Reporters
The House of Representatives on Thursday, passed the Constitution Alteration Bill providing for the establishment of State Police and for Related Matters, with 289 Members voting in favour, 1 voting against, and none abstaining, following confirmation of the constitutionally required quorum.
Prior to the commencement of voting, attendance was verified and confirmed at 290 Members, satisfying the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds quorum of the 360-member House.
The Bill, which contains 18 clauses and amends Sections 214–216 and other relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended), was read for the Third Time and subsequently passed by the House. As a key component of the ongoing constitutional review process, it was prioritised for consideration and passage, while voting on other Constitution Alteration Bills was deferred.
The decision represents a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture through a decentralised policing framework, with provisions for coordination, oversight, accountability, and the clear delineation of responsibilities between federal and subnational policing authorities, aimed at delivering more responsive and effective security services.
Commenting on the outcome, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, stated that security is the foundation upon which every other aspiration of nationhood rests.
“By passing this Bill, the House has taken a decisive constitutional step towards creating a policing framework that is more responsive to local realities while remaining firmly anchored within the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he stated.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, described the outcome as a strong expression of the House’s responsiveness to national consensus on the need for security sector reform and improved governance structures.
The State Police proposal forms part of a broader package of constitutional amendments covering electoral reforms, judicial reforms, local government administration, devolution of powers, fiscal reforms, human rights, institutional strengthening, and related governance issues.
The House of Representatives reiterates its commitment to an inclusive, transparent, and outcome-driven constitutional review process aimed at strengthening democracy, enhancing security, and improving governance across the federation in line with the aspirations of the Nigerian people.
