Reps begin review of Tinubu’s state police bill

By Taiwo Scholastica

The House of Representatives has commenced consideration of President Bola Tinubu’s executive bill seeking to establish state police, signalling its intention to largely adopt the version earlier passed by the Senate with only limited adjustments.

The move represents another milestone in the ongoing constitutional amendment process aimed at creating a decentralised policing system to tackle growing security concerns such as terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and communal clashes across the country.

Speaking at the House Committee on Constitution Review meeting in Abuja on Monday, the Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Benjamin Kalu, said lawmakers would examine the executive bill clause by clause, using the Senate-approved version as the committee’s working document.

He explained that there was little difference between the executive proposal and the Senate version, making major changes unnecessary.

“The purpose of today’s meeting is to consider the executive bill clause by clause and make appropriate recommendations to the House. We must note that the Senate has already considered and adopted the bill with certain amendments, and copies of that version have been circulated to members. This document will serve as our working draft throughout this exercise.”

“On the clause-by-clause consideration, the executive bill is substantially similar to what we have previously worked on, with only minor adjustments. Therefore, we do not anticipate any major departure from the work already undertaken,” Kalu said.

He disclosed that the Senate introduced about eight minor amendments, as well as provisions covering interpretation, transitional arrangements, and implementation, which would be carefully reviewed by the House committee.

“You will see the introduction of Section 318 dealing with interpretation, as well as transitional and saving provisions to facilitate the implementation and operationalisation of the state police framework, together with other consequential amendments. The Senate also introduced about eight minor clauses with slight adjustments that are not too significant.”

“So, as we proceed with this amendment process, we shall take into consideration the work already done by the Senate and adopt it where applicable,” he added.

Kalu recalled that the House had initially passed its Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police on June 11 before the National Assembly went on recess.

However, lawmakers later reversed that decision after President Tinubu transmitted an executive bill on the same subject.

“You may recall that on June 11, before the recess, the House considered and passed the Police Constitution Alteration Bill. However, following the introduction of an executive bill by the President, that decision was reversed by the House on July 14, to enable consideration of the Executive Bill coming from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” Kalu said.

He noted that the executive bill had already scaled its first and second readings in the House, while consultations held during the National Assembly Open Week effectively met the public hearing requirement.

Describing the proposal as one of President Tinubu’s key constitutional reform initiatives, Kalu said the President had consistently advocated for state policing since his tenure as Governor of Lagos State.

“I must emphasise that the State Police Bill remains one of the signature constitutional reform initiatives of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu. As Governor of Lagos State, he was among the earliest advocates of multi-layered policing as a strategic solution to Nigeria’s security challenges. Today, as President, he is championing the same cause, demonstrating consistency between his convictions and his actions,” he added.

Kalu stressed that both the executive and legislative arms were united in pursuing reforms to strengthen national security.

“As we have always argued, although we are three arms of government, we are one government. There is a national objective, and all we do is align ourselves with it, especially when that objective is in the best interest of Nigerians. Today, there is a national consensus that security must remain at the forefront of governance, and both the executive and the legislature are committed to achieving that objective,” he stated.

He added that lawmakers met outside their regular legislative schedule because of the urgency attached to the bill, expressing confidence that the Senate and House would conclude work on the amendment promptly before forwarding it for presidential assent.

If eventually approved by the National Assembly, endorsed by at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly, and signed into law by President Tinubu, the legislation will introduce one of the most significant reforms to Nigeria’s policing system since the return to democratic rule in 1999.