Full List Revealed: Key State Police Proposals Land Before Senate

The Senate on Wednesday began deliberations on a series of far-reaching constitutional amendment proposals that could significantly reshape Nigeria’s political, security and judicial landscape.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The exercise is regarded as one of the most important constitutional review processes since the country’s return to democratic governance in 1999, with lawmakers expected to take decisions on key reforms affecting elections, security, traditional institutions, human rights and governance.

Among the major proposals before the upper legislative chamber are bills seeking the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission, the introduction of independent candidacy in elections, direct constitutional funding for the Armed Forces, constitutional recognition and financial autonomy for traditional rulers, and a ban on the public parade of criminal suspects by law enforcement agencies.

Also drawing significant attention is the proposal to establish State Police Services, a reform strongly supported by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of efforts to address the country’s growing security challenges.

Key Constitutional Amendments Under Consideration

Lawmakers are expected to vote on several major proposals, including:

• Creation of an Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute election-related offences.
• Introduction of independent candidacy for governorship, legislative and local government elections.
• Placement of the Armed Forces on first-line charge to guarantee direct funding from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
• Constitutional recognition and financial autonomy for traditional institutions through State Councils of Traditional Rulers.
• Automatic conversion of death sentences imposed on pregnant women to life imprisonment where pregnancy is established.
• Prohibition of the public parade of criminal suspects by law enforcement agencies in line with constitutional protections of dignity and the presumption of innocence.
• Establishment of State Police Services to strengthen community policing, intelligence gathering and local security operations.

High-Profile Attendance

The proceedings attracted several prominent figures within the Tinubu administration as well as governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were present at the Senate Chamber ahead of deliberations.

Among those in attendance were the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; and the governors of Ogun and Ondo states.

Also present were a number of state Attorneys-General, including representatives from Anambra and Akwa Ibom states, who attended to observe the proceedings.

Their presence generated discussion within the chamber, as attendance by non-members during such significant legislative exercises is relatively uncommon. Although some lawmakers reportedly raised concerns, the visitors were ultimately allowed to remain as observers.

Deliberations Delayed by Executive Session

The Senate had initially planned to begin consideration of the constitutional amendment bills immediately after the swearing-in of newly inaugurated senators.

However, proceedings were delayed after lawmakers entered a closed-door executive session that lasted for more than an hour. The session followed a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

Akpabio Urges Senators to Make History

Addressing lawmakers before the executive session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the constitutional review process as a defining moment for both the National Assembly and Nigeria’s democratic development.

He said the proposals before the Senate went beyond routine legislation and had the potential to reshape the country’s security architecture and strengthen federal governance.

Akpabio urged senators to approach the exercise with patriotism, objectivity and a commitment to national interest, stressing that future generations would assess the 10th Senate based on its handling of critical national issues.

According to him, the decisions reached during the exercise could influence policing, public safety and intergovernmental relations in Nigeria for decades.

Electronic Voting Introduced

In a departure from the Senate’s traditional voting method, Akpabio announced that lawmakers would vote on the constitutional amendment bills electronically.

He explained that each senator’s vote would be digitally recorded, displayed and archived to ensure transparency, accountability and proper documentation of the legislative process.

The Senate subsequently commenced test runs of the electronic voting system, marking the first time the technology would be used for constitutional voting since the inauguration of the 10th Senate.

State Police Remains Key Issue

One of the most closely watched proposals is the bill seeking the creation of State Police Services.

Supporters argue that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering, enhance response times and bring security operations closer to local communities. They also believe it would strengthen efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and communal violence by granting states greater responsibility for internal security.

Opponents, however, have expressed concerns that state police could be misused by governors for political purposes, particularly as the country approaches another electoral cycle.

The proposal remains one of the most debated aspects of the ongoing constitutional review and is widely regarded as a central component of the Federal Government’s strategy to tackle insecurity.

As deliberations continued, senators prepared to cast their votes on the broad package of constitutional amendments that could have lasting implications for Nigeria’s governance and security framework.