BREAKING: Reps Begin Deliberations On Tinubu’s State Police Bill

The proposed legislation marks another significant milestone in the ongoing constitutional amendment process aimed at creating a decentralised policing system to address growing security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and communal violence.

The Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, announced the development during the committee’s meeting in Abuja on Monday.

Kalu explained that the committee would scrutinise the executive bill clause by clause, using the version already approved by the Senate as its primary working document.

He noted that the House was not expected to make sweeping changes to the Senate’s version since it closely mirrors the draft previously considered by the lower chamber.

“The purpose of today’s meeting is to examine the executive bill clause by clause and make the necessary recommendations to the House,” Kalu said.

“We must also recognise that the Senate has already considered and adopted the bill with some amendments, and copies of that version have been distributed to members. It will serve as our working document throughout this process.”

According to the Deputy Speaker, the executive proposal differs only slightly from the version earlier handled by the House.

“The executive bill is substantially similar to what we had previously worked on, with only minor adjustments. We therefore do not anticipate any major deviation from the work already done,” he stated.

Kalu revealed that the Senate introduced about eight minor amendments, including fresh provisions relating to interpretation, transitional arrangements and implementation of the proposed state police framework.

He said the House committee would carefully review those changes and adopt them where necessary.

“You will notice the inclusion of Section 318 on interpretation, as well as transitional and saving provisions to facilitate the implementation and operationalisation of the state police framework, alongside other consequential amendments.

“The Senate also introduced about eight minor clauses with slight adjustments that are not particularly significant.

“As we continue this amendment process, we will take into account the Senate’s work and adopt the relevant provisions where appropriate,” he added.

House Revisited Earlier Decision

Kalu recalled that the House had passed its own Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police on June 11 before lawmakers proceeded on recess.

However, he explained that the House reversed that decision on July 14 following the transmission of President Tinubu’s executive bill.

“You may recall that before the recess, on June 11, the House considered and passed the Police Constitution Alteration Bill.

“Following the submission of the President’s executive bill, that decision was rescinded on July 14 to enable the House consider the executive proposal from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker noted that the President, as Commander-in-Chief, is well-positioned to propose comprehensive security reforms capable of addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

He disclosed that the executive bill had already passed first and second readings in the House, while stakeholder engagements held during the National Assembly Open Week effectively satisfied the public hearing requirement.

Kalu described the proposed legislation as one of President Tinubu’s key constitutional reform initiatives, noting that the President has consistently advocated decentralised policing since his days as Governor of Lagos State.

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

“As Governor of Lagos State, he was among the earliest advocates of multi-layered policing as a strategic response to Nigeria’s security challenges.

“Today, as President, he continues to champion the same cause, demonstrating consistency between his long-held convictions and his actions,” Kalu said.

Executive, Legislature Working Together

The Deputy Speaker stressed that both the executive and legislative arms of government share a common commitment to strengthening national security.

“Although we operate as three separate arms of government, we remain one government with a shared national objective.

“That objective is to serve the best interests of Nigerians, and today there is broad consensus that security must remain at the centre of governance. Both the executive and legislature are fully committed to achieving that goal,” he stated.

Kalu also explained that the urgency of the proposed legislation prompted lawmakers to convene on Monday, despite the House’s parliamentary week traditionally beginning on Tuesdays.

“We are here today not because it is convenient, but because duty calls and time is of the essence.

“We are collaborating with the executive to ensure the successful passage of this priority constitutional amendment,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the close collaboration between the House of Representatives and the Senate would speed up the constitutional amendment process and pave the way for the eventual establishment of state police across the country.