Governors Mount Pressure On Tinubu, National Assembly Over State Police Bill

State governors have intensified efforts to secure the passage of the proposed state police legislation, mounting pressure on the National Assembly, the 36 State Houses of Assembly and President Bola Tinubu to complete the process before political campaigns for the 2027 general election gather momentum.

The renewed push follows concerns that the constitutional amendment could be delayed by the National Assembly’s annual recess, heightened political activities and possible legal challenges surrounding the procedure used by the House of Representatives to approve the bill.

Last Thursday, the House passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police, marking a significant milestone after weeks of advocacy by governors and supporters of decentralised policing.

According to sources within the National Assembly, governors have intensified consultations with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, urging them to immediately set up a conference committee to harmonise the versions of the bill passed by both chambers.

Governors Push for Swift State Assembly Approval

Once the harmonised version is adopted by the Senate and the House, it will be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for ratification.

The governors are reportedly engaging speakers of state legislatures, encouraging them to approve the amendment within one month of receiving it.

Under the Constitution, at least two-thirds of the state assemblies must endorse the amendment before it can be returned to the National Assembly and forwarded to President Tinubu for presidential assent.

Sources also disclosed that governors have begun discussions with officials in the Presidency, seeking assurances that the bill will receive prompt approval once it completes the legislative process.

The urgency, insiders said, is driven by fears that prolonged delays could push the amendment into the peak of the 2027 election season, making its passage more difficult.

PDP Faction Considers Court Action

Despite the progress recorded in the House, controversy has continued to trail the method used to pass the legislation.

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki has threatened legal action, arguing that the constitutional amendment was improperly approved through a voice vote.

The faction’s spokesman, Ini Ememobong, maintained that constitutional amendments should be debated and voted on clause by clause rather than receiving what he described as blanket approval.

He argued that the process failed to meet constitutional standards and recalled similar concerns raised during previous legislative deliberations on the Electoral Act.

According to Ememobong, both political parties and ordinary citizens have the right to seek judicial interpretation whenever they believe constitutional procedures have been violated.

He also noted that members of the House minority caucus had objected to aspects of the amendment before its passage.

Former Lawmaker Questions Procedure

Former House of Representatives member Sergius Ogun also criticised the procedure adopted by lawmakers, describing the use of a voice vote for a constitutional amendment as inconsistent with established legislative practice.

Ogun, who represented Esan North-East/Esan South-West Federal Constituency in Edo State during the Eighth and Ninth National Assemblies, recalled that electronic voting was used for constitutional amendment exercises while he was in office.

He said anyone dissatisfied with the process should seek clarification from the courts, adding that such litigation could help strengthen constitutional jurisprudence despite concerns about public confidence in the judiciary.

Security Concerns Driving Governors’ Push

Beyond the legislative debate, governors are said to be eager to establish constitutionally recognised state police forces because many states already operate local security outfits and vigilante organisations.

The proposal would provide the legal framework for some of these security formations to evolve into formal state police agencies.

Governors are hoping to complete that transition well ahead of the 2027 elections as insecurity, including kidnapping, banditry and violent crime, continues to challenge many parts of the country.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun recently disclosed that governors had agreed to work closely with their respective state assemblies to ensure speedy consideration of the amendment.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also stated that the pace at which state legislatures act on the bill would reflect the commitment of governors who have consistently advocated the creation of state police.

Several speakers of state assemblies have already declared their support for the proposal, describing it as a crucial step in Nigeria’s constitutional reform process.

Civil Society Calls for Wider Consultation

Meanwhile, civil society organisations have urged lawmakers to allow broader public participation before the legislation is finalised.

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre called for public hearings to be conducted across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, arguing that citizens should have the opportunity to examine issues relating to funding, accountability and safeguards against abuse by state governments.

The organisation noted that no nationwide consultations have yet been held and said important questions surrounding the financing and oversight of state police remain unresolved.

The House of Representatives approved the constitutional amendment with the support of 311 lawmakers, comfortably exceeding the two-thirds majority required for such legislation.

However, proceedings were not without controversy, as members of the minority caucus staged a walkout shortly after the vote.

Minority Leader Fredrick Agbedi argued that the procedure adopted by the House did not fully comply with constitutional requirements.