The Senate has scheduled amendments to the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police in Nigeria. Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele said the bill will be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for further legislation after passage at the National Assembly.
In a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Monday, Bamidele said all stakeholders across the federation “are on the same page with the National Assembly on the establishment of State Police.” He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all state governors are aligned with the National Assembly on the proposal.
Bamidele explained that the National Assembly will isolate the state police aspect from the ongoing constitutional amendment and pass it into law due to its national exigency. He said there is no need for further delay as the desire for state police is a popular one.
He disclosed that the legislative week beginning Tuesday will be crucial for the Senate, as the issue of state police will top their agenda. “It is going to be the subject we will be dealing with this week,” he stated.
Recall that Section 214 (1) of the 1999 Constitution currently provides that “There shall be a Police Force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force.” The proposed amendment seeks to change this by providing for state-level policing.
Bamidele revealed that there have been series of meetings in the last one week involving Senate Committee Chairman on Constitution Review Senator Barau I. Jibrin, House Committee Chairman Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General, Chief of Staff Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Inspector-General of Police Mr. Tunji Disu and other stakeholders. The consultations are approaching completion.
He said the bill will be isolated from other constitutional amendment bills so it can be voted on as soon as possible and transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly. Two-thirds of state assemblies must approve it before the president can assent to it. “The state assemblies are also waiting for this bill to come,” he noted.
Bamidele expressed confidence that President Tinubu is ready to assent to the bill immediately it reaches him. Gbajabiamila had earlier disclosed that the president will receive a comprehensive report on the proposed creation of state police as consultations on the constitutional framework approach completion.
