Senate Sets Nov 15 Deadline for Six States on Police Bill
The National Assembly has transmitted a constitutional amendment establishing state police to President Tinubu after 30 of 36 state assemblies approved it.
President Bola Tinubu has received a constitutional amendment bill from the National Assembly that seeks to establish state police forces throughout Nigeria. Endorsement from 30 state Houses of Assembly supports this proposal, surpassing the constitutional threshold of two-thirds majority needed for amendments to advance.
Six state assemblies remain outstanding in communicating formal positions regarding the proposed legislation. These six jurisdictions: Kano, Benue, Niger, Abia, Oyo and Cross Rivers have been given a November 15 deadline by the Senate to declare their stance.
According to the Senate, non-compliance with this timeline will count as withholding approval. One report notes, however, that Kano's assembly has completed passage and is transmitting its resolution to National Assembly leadership.
Creating state police forces marks a major reorientation of Nigeria's law enforcement structure. The amendment would permit each state to establish its own police apparatus in addition to the federal Nigeria Police Force.
Allowing states greater autonomy over policing has represented a persistent governance priority among numerous Nigerian stakeholders. By November 3, the National Assembly clerk's office had documented 29 state approvals, with further jurisdictions ratifying the bill afterward before it reached the President's desk.
Assent from President Tinubu will incorporate this amendment into Nigeria's constitutional framework. The six outstanding states retain until mid-November to formally register their positions on the proposed modification.
