Nigeria's House to Vote on State Police Amendment Bills

The Nigerian House of Representatives is preparing to vote on significant constitutional amendment bills aimed at establishing state police as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and address rising insecurity across the country. The bills are scheduled for a second reading after having passed the first reading in the Senate.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitutional Review, is the lead sponsor of the bill proposing amendments to Section 214 of the Constitution. This amendment seeks to allow state governments to establish and operate their own police services, moving police responsibilities from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list.

The proposed amendments also include a new provision under Section 318, defining state police and community policing systems. The National Assembly will transmit the bills to the 36 state houses of assembly for ratification, requiring the approval of at least two-thirds of the state legislatures before being forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.