By Mercy Gadia
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police, with 289 lawmakers voting in favour of the proposal.
The bill scaled third reading after the House confirmed a quorum of 290 members, surpassing the constitutionally required two-thirds of the 360-member chamber. Only one lawmaker voted against the bill, while none abstained.
The proposed legislation, which contains 18 clauses, seeks to amend Sections 214 to 216 and other relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to provide for the creation of state-controlled police structures.
The passage forms part of the ongoing constitutional review process by the National Assembly, with the House prioritising the bill while deferring voting on other amendment proposals.
Speaking after the passage, the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, said the move marked a decisive step towards addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
He said, “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.”
Also commenting, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, described the development as a reflection of the lawmakers’ responsiveness to public demand for security sector reforms.
He said the outcome underscored the need for improved governance structures and a decentralised approach to policing.
The proposed state police system is expected to enhance internal security through a framework that provides for coordination, oversight, and accountability, while clearly defining the roles of federal and subnational policing authorities.
The bill is part of a broader package of constitutional amendments covering electoral reforms, judicial reforms, local government administration, devolution of powers, fiscal policies, and institutional strengthening.
The House reiterated its commitment to an inclusive and transparent constitutional review process aimed at strengthening democracy and improving governance across the country.