Senate Sets November 15 for State Police Bill Approval

The Senate of Nigeria has established a deadline of November 15 for six state Houses of Assembly, including Benue, Oyo, Cross River, Niger, Abia, and Kano, to communicate their positions on the proposed constitutional amendment to establish State Police. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) announced this during a plenary session, warning that non-response could be interpreted as withholding approval.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau (Kano North), indicated that the Kano State House of Assembly would submit its approval before the deadline. Currently, 30 states have approved the bill, surpassing the required two-thirds majority of 24 states for the amendment to proceed.

The National Assembly has completed its role by passing the bill and sending it to all 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration. Bamidele emphasized the importance of state participation in constitutional amendments and expressed optimism that the remaining states would respond in time.