President Tinubu Seeks Constitution Amendment To Create Legal Framework For State Police

In a fresh move to establish state police, President Bola Tinubu is seeking an alteration of the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for the creation of state police services across Nigeria.

The President, in a letter read at the resumed Senate plenary on Tuesday, transmitted the State Police Bill, 2026, to the upper chamber.

The proposed legislation is aimed at creating a constitutional framework for the State Police as part of efforts to tackle the country’s growing security challenges.

In his communication to the Senate, President Tinubu said the bill builds on the substantial work already carried out by both the Senate and the House of Representatives on the issue.

He explained that the proposed legislation introduces additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure effectively responds to Nigeria’s evolving security concerns promptly and for the benefit of all Nigerians.

The President described the bill as a critical component of his administration’s plan to reorganise the nation’s security architecture and strengthen the protection of lives and property across the country.

He also expressed confidence that the Senate would give the proposal expeditious consideration and passage.

It noted that the decentralisation of policing would involve a two-phase legal process, with one aspect embedded in an Act of Parliament and the other requiring constitutional alteration to spell out the modalities, safeguards and oversight mechanisms needed to prevent abuse of the proposed state police structure.

The development comes two weeks after the Senate passed an existing state police bill and referred it to its Committee on Constitution Review.

Both bills are expected to be consolidated as part of the legislative process.

The bill is referred to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, to report back to the chamber on Wednesday for further legislative action.

According to the Senate, the proposed state police framework would allow communities, youths, traditional rulers and local government authorities to play more active roles in grassroots security management.

The Senate also indicated that the bill would be fast-tracked, stressing that the move to decentralise policing is intended to create a more effective security structure capable of responding to the country’s present security realities.

Lawmakers expressed optimism that with coordinated action by both the executive and the legislature, including the Senate and the House of Representatives, the proposed measure could bring fresh hope to communities affected by insurgency and other forms of insecurity across the country.

The Senate further urged members to attend Wednesday’s plenary for what is expected to be a robust debate on the state police proposal.

This report was originally produced by Ondo Press News.