Senate Passes Landmark State Police Bill, Moves Nigeria Closer to Policing Reform
In a historic move that could fundamentally reshape Nigeria's security architecture, the Senate on Wednesday passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police across the federation, marking a major breakthrough in the country's decades-long debate over decentralising policing powers.
The passage followed an extensive clause-by-clause consideration of the proposed constitutional amendment and secured the support of more than two-thirds of senators through a manual voting process conducted during plenary.
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage of the bill after lawmakers overwhelmingly voted in favour of the proposal, which many described as one of the most significant constitutional reforms since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999.
The legislation was approved after the Senate considered the report of its Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented by Deputy Senate President and committee chairman, Senator Barau Jibrin.
Leading debate on the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele urged lawmakers to support what he described as a necessary response to the country's worsening security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and other forms of violent crime.
For years, advocates of state policing have argued that Nigeria's centrally controlled police structure is overstretched and unable to effectively respond to local security threats in a country of more than 200 million people. Supporters believe state police would improve intelligence gathering, community policing and rapid response to crime. Critics, however, have repeatedly raised concerns that governors could misuse state-controlled police formations to suppress political opponents.
Key Provisions
The bill proposes a dual policing structure that would allow federal and state police forces to operate concurrently.
Under the proposed amendment, the Nigeria Police Force would continue to function at the federal level under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, while each state would establish its own police service headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State House of Assembly.
Clause 17 of the bill provides that state governors may issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to their respective Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety and public order within their states.
To address fears of political abuse, lawmakers inserted safeguards aimed at protecting civil liberties and democratic rights.
One of the provisions expressly states that a State Commissioner of Police shall not arrest, detain, investigate or deploy force against any individual, political party or organisation merely for criticising a government except in accordance with the law and established due process.
The bill also seeks to establish institutional mechanisms for oversight, accountability and coordination between federal and state policing structures as part of efforts to prevent conflicts of jurisdiction and ensure national security standards are maintained.
Manual Voting Adopted
The landmark vote came after the Senate abandoned plans to deploy an electronic voting system for constitutional amendment bills.
Lawmakers opted for a manual voting process following concerns that technical issues affecting some voting devices could disenfranchise senators and compromise the credibility of the exercise.
Moving the motion for manual voting, Bamidele argued that every senator must be given an equal opportunity to participate in what many described as a defining moment in Nigeria's constitutional history.
Following the adoption of the motion, senators were called individually to publicly declare their votes during consideration of the amendment proposals.
Governors, Presidency Officials Witness Proceedings
The significance of the legislation was underscored by the presence of several top government officials and political leaders who observed proceedings from the Senate chamber.
Among them were the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Their attendance reflected the widespread interest surrounding a reform that has remained a contentious national issue for decades.
What Happens Next?
Despite clearing the Senate, the bill has not yet become law.
As a constitutional amendment, it must still secure approval from at least two-thirds of Nigeria's 36 State Houses of Assembly; a minimum of 24 states before being transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
The proposal has already gained significant momentum within the National Assembly. Earlier this month, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a similar version of the State Police Bill, signalling broad legislative support for the reform.
If eventually ratified by the states and signed into law, the amendment would represent the most far-reaching restructuring of Nigeria's policing system since independence and could usher in a new era of decentralised security management aimed at addressing the country's persistent security challenges.