By Ify Okoli
The House of
Representatives has approved President Bola Tinubu's Executive Bill seeking to establish State Police, marking a significant
step towards overhauling Nigeria's security system and giving states greater
responsibility for policing.
The landmark decision was reached during Thursday's plenary
after the House withdrew its earlier constitutional amendment proposal on the
same subject in favour of the Executive Bill submitted by the President.
A total of 311
lawmakers voted in support of the legislation. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen disclosed that 276 members voted physically, while 35 others participated virtually,
demonstrating overwhelming backing for one of the country's most anticipated
constitutional reforms.
The approval followed the consideration and adoption of the
report presented by the House Committee
on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
The proposed legislation, titled "A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police Services and
for Related Matters," seeks to create the constitutional framework
for states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the
existing Nigeria Police Force.
President Tinubu, who transmitted the Bill to the House last
week, said the proposal builds on earlier legislative efforts while introducing
additional safeguards to ensure the smooth operation of a dual policing system
capable of addressing Nigeria's growing security challenges.
He described the legislation as a key part of his
administration's plan to strengthen the country's security architecture and
improve the protection of lives and property across the federation.
Following the adoption of the Executive Bill, the House
rescinded its June 11, 2026 resolution on state police and dissolved the
12-member conference committee earlier constituted to work on the previous
proposal, clearing the way for the President's version to move forward in the
constitutional amendment process.
Post a Comment