State Police Set To Become Reality As 30 State Assemblies Approve Constitutional Bill

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has expressed confidence that the constitutional process required to establish State Police in Nigeria will be completed on or before December 2026.

Bamidele disclosed that at least 30 State Houses of Assembly have approved the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill, 2026, thereby meeting the constitutional requirement for the proposed amendment.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the Senate Leader made this known on Thursday while delivering a paper at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.

His presentation, delivered to participants of Senior Executive Course 48, was titled “Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Governance through Proactive Lawmaking.”

Bamidele, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, explained that the approvals obtained from the state legislatures satisfied the requirement contained in Section 9(2) of the Constitution.

The provision requires at least two-thirds of all State Houses of Assembly to support a proposed constitutional amendment before it can proceed to the next stage.

He described the development as a major breakthrough, expressing optimism that the establishment of State Police was moving beyond political discussions towards implementation.

The Senate Leader explained that the next step would involve the National Assembly collating reports from the various state legislatures, after which both chambers would consider and pass the necessary resolutions by a simple majority.

Following the approval by the National Assembly, the proposed constitutional amendment would be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

Bamidele said the entire process was expected to be concluded on or before December 2026.

He also addressed concerns that state governors could misuse the proposed security arrangement to intimidate political opponents or turn police formations into personal security forces.

The lawmaker maintained that the objective of the reform was not to establish state armies but to introduce community-based policing under clear constitutional provisions and operational guidelines.

According to him, the proposed structure would strengthen security by enabling police officers to understand the communities they serve, including their local terrain, languages and unique security challenges.

He further emphasised the importance of constitutional safeguards, effective oversight mechanisms, operational standards and human rights protections to prevent abuses and ensure that state police operate within the law.