Constitution Alteration: House Of Representatives Passes State Police Bill.

By Ferdinand Olise

The House of Representatives on Thursday has passed the Constitution Alteration Bill providing for the establishment of State Police and for Related Matters, with two hundred and eighty nine Members voting in favour of the Bill.

According to the Spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi, as a key component of the ongoing constitutional review process, the Bill which contains eighteen clauses and amends Sections 214–216 and other relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended
was read for the Third Time and subsequently passed by the House.

The decision represents a significant a milestone in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture through a decentralised policing framework, with provisions for co-ordination, oversight, accountability, and the clear delineation of responsibilities between federal and sub-national policing authorities, aimed at delivering more responsive and effective security services.

As a key component of the ongoing constitutional review process, it was prioritised for consideration and passage, while voting on other Constitution Alteration Bills was deferred.

The State Police proposal forms part of a broader package of constitutional amendments covering electoral reforms, judicial reforms, local government administration, devolution of powers, fiscal reforms, human rights, institutional strengthening, and related governance issues.

Commenting on the outcome, the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, said security is the foundation upon which every other aspiration of nationhood rests.

“By passing the Bill, the House has taken a decisive constitutional step towards creating a policing framework that is more responsive to local realities while remaining firmly anchored within the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he said.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, described the outcome as a strong expression of the House’s responsiveness to national consensus on the need for security sector reform and improved governance structures.

The House of Representatives therefore reiterated its commitment to an inclusive, transparent, and outcome-driven constitutional review process aimed at strengthening democracy, enhancing security, and improving governance across the federation in line with the aspirations of the Nigerian people.