‎… Submits new bill to NASS

‎… Gbajabiamila, Delta Speaker back power devolution

… Reps pledge quick passage

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‎By Teddy Nwanunobi

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‎The pushes to establish a decentralised State Police Force in Nigeria has gathered momentum, with President Bola Tinubu transmitting a bill to the House of Representatives seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide the legal framework for the establishment of state police across the country.

‎Contained in a letter dated June 15, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, the proposal represents the most significant attempt to restructure Nigeria’s policing system since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

‎Abbas, who read the President’s letter during Tuesday’s plenary, said that Tinubu urged lawmakers to give expedited consideration to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, describing it as a key component of his administration’s security reforms.

‎According to Tinubu, the bill seeks to create “a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police Services” to strengthen Nigeria’s response to growing security challenges.

‎Tinubu said the proposal builds on previous efforts by the House of Representatives while introducing additional safeguards for the operation of a dual 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 national security challenges can be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

‎He described the legislation as central to his administration’s security agenda, and appealed for its speedy passage.

‎“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.

‎Following Tinubu’s request, the House of Representatives stepped down its earlier proposed constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish a state police. This it did in favour of the Executive Bill transmitted by the President for legislative consideration.

‎The decision was announced during Tuesday’s plenary after the Executive Bill passed its first and second readings.

‎The proposed legislation was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative consideration.

‎The move replaced the House’s earlier constitutional amendment proposal on state police, with lawmakers now focusing on the executive-backed bill.

‎The committee is expected to examine the provisions of the bill before presenting its recommendations to the House for further debate and consideration.

‎The Executive Bill forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to amend the Constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of a state police as part of broader security reforms.

‎In an explanation, the House said that it rescinded its earlier constitutional amendment bill on state police to enable lawmakers consider President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Bill, saying the move was aimed at ensuring a coherent constitutional framework for the proposed policing system.

‎The House, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Hon Akin Rotimi, on Tuesday, said the decision should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of its support for state police, but as a legislative step to align with the executive’s proposal.

‎Rotimi explained that the Green Chamber had passed its version of the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill on June 11, 2026, and constituted a 12-member Conference Committee on July 9 to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions.

‎He, however, said the President’s Executive Bill introduced new considerations that required a different legislative approach.

‎“Following the transmission of the Executive Bill, the House determined that new considerations relating to the structure, framework, and implementation of State Police Services necessitated an efficient legislative approach to ensure a coherent constitutional framework consistent with Nigeria’s evolving national security architecture,” the statement read.

‎The House said the decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon Francis Waive.

‎It added that lawmakers rescinded the earlier resolution and dissolved the Conference Committee to pave the way for consideration of the Executive Bill.

‎According to the statement, the Executive Bill, titled Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2026 (HB. 2797), passed first and second readings on Tuesday after the debate was led by the House Leader, Hon Julius Ihonvbere.

‎The House stressed that the decision did not amount to abandoning the state police initiative.

‎“The House emphasised that its decision should not be construed as a withdrawal of legislative support for State Police. Rather, it reflects the resolve of the House, working in concert with the executive, to ensure that the constitutional framework establishing State Police Services is comprehensive, effective, and responsive to Nigeria’s evolving security realities,” the statement said.

‎Rotimi added that the House remained committed to constitutional reforms through “a transparent and rigorous legislative process that strengthens Nigeria’s democratic institutions and responds effectively to the nation’s evolving governance and security needs.”

‎In a related development, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, have thrown their weight behind ongoing constitutional reforms, particularly the proposed establishment of state police and the devolution of powers, describing them as critical to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and deepening federalism.

‎The two leaders spoke on Tuesday at the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja, where they also underscored the need for greater transparency, accountability and collaboration among the executive, legislature and citizens in advancing democratic governance.

‎Gbajabiamila said the National Assembly’s Open Week should serve as more than a ceremonial exercise, insisting that it must provide Nigerians with a genuine opportunity to scrutinise legislative activities, engage lawmakers and hold public institutions accountable.

‎“An Open Week must be more than the ceremonial opening of the gates of parliament. It should be an invitation to scrutiny, dialogue and partnership.

‎“Citizens should be able to follow how laws are made, understand how public resources are appropriated, and see how legislative oversight protects the national interest,” he said.

‎The former Speaker of the House of Representatives also called for broader citizen participation in lawmaking, stressing that the voices of young people, women, persons with disabilities, civil society organisations, the private sector and professional bodies should be reflected in national priorities.

‎“Transparency turns constitutional authority into public trust. Inclusion ensures that the voices of our diverse people are not only heard but reflected in national priorities, while reform keeps our institutions responsive to changing realities and capable of delivering better outcomes,” he added.

‎Speaking on behalf of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, Guwor described insecurity as Nigeria’s most pressing challenge, saying constitutional reforms offered a unique opportunity to strengthen governance and improve national security.

‎“Insecurity remains the greatest challenge confronting our nation today. While effective legislation and sound public policy are indispensable, lasting solutions require sustained engagement with the people and stronger collaboration among government, legislatures, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and local communities.

‎“Security is a shared responsibility, and through collective action, we can build a safer and more peaceful nation,” he said.

‎He commended Tinubu for pursuing institutional reforms aimed at addressing the country’s security challenges and praised the National Assembly for advancing constitutional amendments on state policing and the devolution of powers.

‎“We commend President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges through institutional reforms.

‎“We equally commend the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their vision, patriotism and unwavering commitment to the ongoing constitutional deliberations on state policing and the devolution of powers. These efforts reflect a genuine determination to strengthen our federal system and build a more secure, responsive and effective governance structure,” he stated.

‎According to him, the proposed constitutional amendments could significantly improve Nigeria’s governance framework if successfully enacted and implemented.

‎“If adopted and faithfully implemented, these constitutional reforms have the potential to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, improve intergovernmental coordination, bring governance closer to the people and reinforce the principles of true federalism envisioned by our Constitution,” he stated.

‎He assured that the Conference of Speakers would continue to work with the National Assembly, the Presidency, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the reforms.

‎“The Conference of Speakers stands ready to continue working closely with the National Assembly, the Presidency and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that these reforms ultimately serve the best interests of the Nigerian people,” he said.

‎Daily NewsCraft reports that the National Assembly Open Week is an annual initiative aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and public participation in the legislative process. The programme provides citizens with direct access to the workings of parliament through public engagements, interactive sessions and policy discussions.

‎This year’s edition comes as the National Assembly intensifies work on wide-ranging constitutional amendments, including proposals on state police, the devolution of powers, electoral reforms, judicial reforms and local government autonomy—measures widely regarded as some of the most consequential constitutional changes since the return to democratic rule in 1999.