The House of Representatives has begun consideration of President Bola Tinubu’s bill seeking to establish state police, with the possibility of the House adopting the version passed by the Senate
The House of Representatives has begun consideration of President Bola Tinubu’s bill seeking to establish state police as part of ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
Speaking at the meeting of the House Committee on Constitution Review on Monday, the Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Benjamin Kalu, said the House was likely to adopt the version of the bill already passed by the Senate, with only minor amendments where necessary.
Kalu recalled that the House had passed its own Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police on June 11 before proceeding on recess. However, lawmakers rescinded that decision on July 14 following the transmission of the Executive Bill by President Tinubu to allow consideration of the President’s proposal.
“You may recall that on the 11th of June, 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 the 14th of July to enable consideration of the Executive Bill coming from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” Kalu said.
He noted that because of the importance of the country’s security situation, the president was in the best position to sponsor comprehensive legislation capable of addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
According to him, the executive bill has already passed first and second readings in the House, while the extensive stakeholder engagement held during the National Assembly Open Week effectively fulfilled the public hearing requirement.
“The bill has been referred to this Committee, and the Committee is not just the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman. The Committee is you and I. Our responsibility is to carefully scrutinise this legislation and ensure that it reflects the aspirations and expectations of the Nigerian people,” he stated.
Describing the proposal as one of President Tinubu’s signature constitutional reform initiatives, Kalu said the president had consistently advocated a multi-layered policing system long before assuming office.
“I must emphasise that the State Police Bill remains one of the signature constitutional reform initiatives of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed 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 said.
The Deputy Speaker stressed that although the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary remain separate arms of government, they are united in pursuing national objectives, particularly the protection of lives and property.
“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 added.
Kalu explained that members of the Constitution Review Committee convened on Monday, outside the House’s regular parliamentary schedule, because of the urgency attached to the proposed legislation.
“We are here today not because it is convenient for us. Our parliamentary week ordinarily begins on Tuesday, but duty calls, and time is of the essence. We are joining hands with the Executive to ensure that this collaborative effort results in the successful passage of this priority constitutional amendment,” he said.
He disclosed that both chambers of the National Assembly were working closely to expedite the constitutional amendment process and expressed confidence that the bill would receive presidential assent once transmitted to the President.
“Historically, the House and the Senate are working in tandem to ensure this significant constitutional amendment is achieved. I am confident that once it returns to the Executive, it will receive expeditious assent,” he said.
On the committee’s assignment, Kalu said members would conduct a clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, using the Senate-approved version as the primary working document.
“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,” he explained.
He noted that the bill is largely similar to previous versions considered by the National Assembly, with only limited modifications.
“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.
According to him, the proposed legislation introduces Section 318 on interpretation, alongside transitional and saving provisions to facilitate the implementation of the proposed state police framework.
He added that the Senate also made about eight minor amendments, which the House Committee would review for possible adoption.
“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.”
The committee’s consideration of the bill marks another major step in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, with lawmakers expressing optimism that the proposed legislation will create a constitutionally backed multi-tier policing system capable of improving security across the country.
