Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Journalist at Weng Global
The Nigerian Senate has assured citizens that work on the harmonisation of the State Police Bill will continue despite the National Assembly’s annual recess, dismissing concerns that the legislative break could delay one of the country’s most significant security reforms in decades.
The assurance comes amid growing public interest in the constitutional amendment, which seeks to establish state-controlled police forces alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force as part of efforts to address the nation’s worsening security challenges.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said the harmonisation process would proceed without interruption, stressing that the National Assembly remains committed to ensuring the legislation is completed as quickly as possible.
According to him, the recess will not slow down technical work on the bill, as committees and legislative experts are expected to continue refining the proposed law before lawmakers resume plenary.
The reassurance follows the Senate’s passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, a landmark proposal that received overwhelming support from senators after months of consultations, public hearings and debates.
Harmonisation to continue
Bamidele explained that harmonisation is a normal legislative procedure required whenever there are differences between versions of a bill passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.
He noted that technical experts from both the Senate and the House of Representatives would continue working during the recess to reconcile any outstanding issues, ensuring that the final document reflects a unified position.
The Senate Leader stressed that Nigerians should not interpret the recess as a suspension of legislative activities on the bill.
According to him, members of the harmonisation committee remain fully committed to delivering a comprehensive legal framework capable of strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
He described the State Police Bill as one of the most important constitutional amendments currently before the National Assembly because of its potential to transform policing across the federation.
Security reform remains priority
Nigeria has continued to battle multiple security threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, farmer-herder clashes and separatist unrest.
These challenges have intensified calls for decentralising the country’s policing system, with many stakeholders arguing that a centrally controlled police force has become overstretched.
Supporters of state policing believe governors and local authorities understand the peculiar security realities within their states better than federal authorities based in Abuja.
They argue that locally controlled police forces would improve intelligence gathering, community engagement and rapid emergency response.
The Senate maintains that the proposed reform is intended to complement—not replace—the Nigeria Police Force by creating a dual policing structure with clearly defined constitutional responsibilities.
Broad consultations informed bill
Bamidele said the legislation did not emerge from political considerations alone but followed years of consultations involving federal and state governments, security agencies, legal experts and civil society organisations.
According to him, extensive public hearings were conducted before the bill reached the Senate floor.
The Senate Leader also noted that the proposal benefited from contributions by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, leadership of the Nigeria Police, the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly and other stakeholders.
He dismissed suggestions that the bill was rushed through the legislative process, insisting that lawmakers carefully examined every provision before approving it.
The Senate had earlier disclosed that 84 senators voted in favour of the constitutional amendment, demonstrating broad bipartisan support for the proposal.
House adopting executive version
The assurance on harmonisation also comes after the House of Representatives decided to withdraw its earlier State Police Bill and adopt the Executive Bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas explained that the Executive Bill contains additional safeguards developed by a presidential committee and provides a more comprehensive legal framework for state policing.
The development means lawmakers are working towards producing a single harmonised version capable of securing final legislative approval before being transmitted for further constitutional procedures.
Ratification still required
Although both chambers have made significant progress, the constitutional amendment still requires approval by at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can become law.
The requirement is contained in the Nigerian Constitution for amendments affecting the country’s constitutional structure.
If ratified by the required number of states, the bill will then be transmitted to the President for assent.
Legal analysts say this stage will determine how quickly Nigeria transitions from a single federal policing model to a decentralised security structure.
Mixed reactions
While many Nigerians have welcomed the proposal as a practical response to insecurity, some critics remain cautious.
Opponents fear state governors could misuse state police for political purposes, especially during elections.
Human rights advocates have therefore called for strong oversight mechanisms, independent complaints procedures and constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse.
Supporters, however, argue that appropriate checks and balances within the bill will minimise such risks while improving security at the grassroots.
They insist that decentralised policing has become necessary given Nigeria’s size, population and diverse security threats.
Senate optimistic
Despite differing opinions, the Senate says it remains optimistic that the State Police Bill will complete all constitutional requirements.
Bamidele reiterated that lawmakers are determined to ensure the reform does not lose momentum during the legislative recess.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient and continue supporting efforts aimed at strengthening national security through constitutional reforms.
If eventually enacted, the State Police Bill would represent one of Nigeria’s most significant security policy changes since the return to democratic rule in 1999, potentially redefining policing responsibilities across the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Sources
- Punch Newspapers – State police bill endorsed by 84 senators – Senate
- Punch Newspapers – Reps adopt Executive State Police Bill
- Associated Press (AP) – Nigeria’s Senate passes bill to allow creation of state police forces
