Senate Sets November 15 Deadline for State Police Approval

The Senate has given the six state Houses of Assembly that have not yet approved the proposed establishment of state police until November 15 to communicate their positions. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) reported that 30 of the 36 state assemblies had already approved the constitutional amendment, surpassing the required two-thirds majority of 24.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North) requested additional time for the remaining assemblies to respond, stating that any assembly that does not respond by the deadline will be considered as withholding approval. The proposed amendment aims to alter the 1999 Constitution to allow for the establishment of state police services, addressing concerns about the limitations of the centralized policing system.

The amendment process involves passage by the national assembly, approval by at least two-thirds of state assemblies, and presidential assent. With 30 approvals, the Senate's extension aims to facilitate the completion of the process before the amendment is sent for presidential consideration.