Author: Gist Correspondent

The Senate has pledged to expedite the constitutional amendment process to pave the way for the establishment of state police, describing the proposal as a critical step towards tackling Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, saying lawmakers were determined to respond to growing public demands for a decentralized policing system.

The push for state police has remained one of the most prominent issues in Nigeria’s constitutional and security debates, with advocates arguing that the current centrally controlled policing structure is overstretched and inadequate to address emerging security threats across the country.

Bamidele, who represents the Ekiti Central Senatorial District, said extensive consultations conducted by the National Assembly showed widespread support among Nigerians for the creation of state police.

“Our position is very clear on state police. We are standing with Nigerians on the issue of state police,” he said.

According to him, lawmakers have concluded that the establishment of state police has become necessary and that the constitutional amendment required to make it a reality should no longer be delayed.

“We came to the conclusion that we are going to pass the constitutional amendment to make provision for state police. As of today, that will come to fruition this week because there is no need for any further delay,” he stated.

The Senate leader revealed that discussions had been held with members of the National Assembly, security agencies and the Presidency to build consensus around the proposal.

He added that the constitutional review committee, led by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, had engaged major stakeholders, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President and the Inspector-General of Police.

To ensure speedy consideration, Bamidele said lawmakers had resolved to separate the state police proposal from other constitutional amendment bills currently before the National Assembly.

“It is going to be the most important issue we will be dealing with this week. We have decided to isolate it from the rest of the constitutional amendment bills so that we can vote on it as quickly as possible,” he explained.

He noted that after passage by the National Assembly, the bill would be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, where it must secure approval from at least two-thirds before being forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.

Bamidele expressed optimism that the proposal would scale through the legislative process, citing the support of many state governors and lawmakers across the country.

“The President is also with us and cannot wait for the bill to come for assent. Most governors are in support of it, and their state assemblies are equally prepared to consider it,” he said.

The Senate leader maintained that the creation of state police would strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering and provide states with greater capacity to respond swiftly to local security threats.

He added that the National Assembly was committed to ensuring that the aspirations of Nigerians regarding security reforms are translated into law through the ongoing constitutional amendment process.