By Ayomide Otitoju
The House of Representatives has abandoned its constitutional amendment proposal on state policing and adopted a similar Executive Bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The Executive-sponsored Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police was introduced during Tuesday’s plenary and passed first and second readings before being referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative work.
The decision effectively sets aside the House’s earlier proposal, signalling lawmakers’ preference to consider the version submitted by the Presidency as efforts to establish state police gain momentum.
The committee is expected to examine the bill’s provisions, safeguards and operational framework before presenting its recommendations to the House for further debate and consideration.
President Tinubu recently transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 to the House, seeking constitutional approval for the creation of state police services nationwide.
In a letter addressed to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the President said the proposed legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution by providing the legal framework for the establishment of state police as part of broader reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
Tinubu noted that the bill builds on previous legislative efforts by the House while introducing additional safeguards to ensure the effective implementation of a dual policing system involving both federal and state law enforcement agencies.
He said the proposed framework is intended to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by creating a more responsive and efficient policing structure.
The President described the bill as a key component of his administration’s strategy to reform and modernise the country’s security system, expressing confidence that the House would give it prompt consideration.
Tinubu also urged lawmakers to expedite deliberations on the legislation, stressing that the proposed reforms would enhance public safety and improve Nigeria’s overall security framework.
The transmission of the bill comes about two weeks after the Senate passed a similar constitutional amendment proposal seeking the establishment of state police services across the federation.
