The House of Representatives has stepped down its proposed constitutional amendment seeking the establishment of state police, choosing instead to deliberate on a similar constitutional amendment bill forwarded by the Executive.
The development became known during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers gave the Executive-sponsored state police bill its first and second readings.
Following the readings, the proposed legislation was referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative consideration.
The decision temporarily sets aside the House’s earlier proposal as members redirect their attention to the amendment sponsored by the Executive.
The Executive-backed bill is expected to undergo comprehensive examination at the committee stage, where lawmakers will scrutinise its major provisions before returning it to the chamber for additional legislative 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, requesting constitutional approval for the establishment of state police services across the federation.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, the President explained that the bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish the legal foundation for the creation and operation of state police as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
Tinubu stated that the proposal builds on previous legislative work undertaken by the House while introducing additional safeguards to ensure the successful 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 intended to tackle the country’s changing security challenges by establishing a more responsive and effective 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 an important pillar of his administration’s security reform programme, expressing optimism that lawmakers would give it prompt 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 appealed to lawmakers to fast-track legislative action on the bill, stressing that the proposed reforms are essential to improving public safety and reinforcing the nation’s overall security framework.
The transmission of the proposed legislation came less than two weeks after the Senate approved a similar constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police services throughout the country.
