The House of Representatives has withdrawn its proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police, opting instead to consider a similar bill transmitted by the Executive.
The development emerged during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers gave the Executive-sponsored state police bill its first and second readings.
The bill was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.
The decision effectively suspends the House’s earlier proposal as lawmakers shift attention to the Executive-backed amendment.
The Executive bill is expected to undergo detailed scrutiny at the committee stage, where lawmakers will examine its key provisions before it is returned to the floor for further consideration.
President Bola Tinubu had formally transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 to the House of Representatives, seeking constitutional backing for the establishment of state police services across the country.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, the President said the bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide the legal framework for the creation and operation of state police as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
Tinubu said the proposal builds on previous legislative efforts by the House and introduces additional safeguards to ensure the effective implementation of a dual policing system involving both federal and state law enforcement agencies.
“I am delighted to present to the House of Representatives for consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police Services,” the President said.
According to him, the proposed framework is designed to address the country’s evolving security challenges by creating a more responsive and efficient policing structure.
“This Bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving security challenges can be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.
Tinubu described the proposed legislation as a key component of his administration’s security reform agenda, expressing confidence that lawmakers would give it speedy consideration.
“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I am confident that the House of Representatives will act quickly to consider and pass this Bill,” he added.
The President urged lawmakers to expedite work on the bill, stressing that the proposed reforms are vital to enhancing public safety and strengthening the country’s overall security framework.
The transmission of the bill came barely two weeks after the Senate passed a similar constitutional amendment proposal seeking to establish state police services across the federation.
