Reps begin consideration of Tinubu’s State Police bill

The House of Representatives has begun clause-by-clause consideration of President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Bill on the establishment of state police, with lawmakers indicating they may adopt the version already passed by the Senate to fast-track the constitutional amendment.

The House Committee on Constitution Review commenced deliberations on Monday, describing the bill as a priority measure aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture in response to rising insecurity across the country.

The House had last week resolved to withdraw its earlier State Police Bill and adopt the Executive Bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, marking a significant shift in the National Assembly’s constitutional amendment process on the proposed security reform.

The decision effectively halts plans to harmonise the House and Senate versions of the earlier proposal, with lawmakers set to commence fresh legislative work on the President’s bill.

Abbas explained that the executive proposal incorporated additional safeguards developed by a presidential committee chaired by Femi Gbajabiamila, making it a stronger framework for the establishment of state police.

Speaking at the meeting, Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, said the Senate-approved version of the bill would serve as the committee’s working document while members considered amendments made by the upper chamber.

“The purpose of today’s meeting is to consider the Executive Bill clause by clause and make appropriate recommendations to the House.

“We must note that the Senate has already considered and adopted the bill with certain amendments, and copies of that version have been circulated to members. This document will serve as our working draft throughout this exercise,” Kalu said.

He noted that the Executive Bill is substantially similar to the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill earlier passed by the House, with only minor modifications covering interpretation, transitional and saving provisions, and other consequential amendments.

Kalu recalled that although the House had passed its own state police constitutional amendment bill on June 11 before proceeding on recess, lawmakers later rescinded the decision on July 14 after President Tinubu transmitted the Executive Bill for consideration.

According to him, the Executive Bill has already passed first and second readings in the House, while consultations held during the National Assembly Open Week effectively satisfied the public hearing requirement.

Describing the legislation as one of Tinubu’s flagship constitutional reform initiatives, Kalu said the President had consistently championed a multi-layered policing system since serving as Governor of Lagos State.

“I must emphasise that the State Police Bill remains one of the signature constitutional reform initiatives of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“As Governor of Lagos State, he was among the earliest advocates of multi-layered policing as a strategic solution to Nigeria’s security challenges. Today, as President, he is championing the same cause, demonstrating consistency between his convictions and his actions,” he said.

Kalu said the urgency of the legislation prompted lawmakers to convene outside the normal parliamentary schedule.

“We are here today not because it is convenient for us. Our parliamentary week ordinarily begins on Tuesday, but duty calls, and time is of the essence. We are joining hands with the Executive to ensure that this collaborative effort results in the successful passage of this priority constitutional amendment,” he said.

He added that the House and Senate were working in close collaboration to expedite the constitutional amendment process and expressed confidence that the bill would receive presidential assent once transmitted to Tinubu.

If passed and signed into law, the proposed amendment will create the constitutional framework for a multi-tier policing system, allowing states to establish their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force in a bid to improve internal security and response to crime across the federation.