House of Representatives Withdraws State Police Bill

The House of Representatives has withdrawn its proposal for a constitutional amendment aimed at establishing state police. Instead, lawmakers have decided to consider a similar bill sponsored by the executive branch, which was transmitted by President Bola Tinubu.

This decision was announced during a plenary session on Tuesday. The bill, which underwent its first and second readings, has been referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative work.

This move signifies a shift in the National Assembly's approach to state police legislation, consolidating efforts around the executive's proposal rather than pursuing a separate amendment. The executive-backed bill focuses on creating a single framework for state police operations, which will undergo detailed scrutiny by the committee.

The review process will address structural power, funding, oversight, and operational frameworks for state police, aiming to prevent abuse. The ongoing debate on state police is part of broader constitutional reform discussions in Nigeria, with advocates arguing that state police can enhance local security responses.