Nigeria's House adopts Tinubu's state police bill, dumps own version

Nigeria's House of Representatives has decided to abandon its own State Police Bill and instead adopt the version submitted by President Bola Tinubu. This move marks a significant pivot in the ongoing constitutional amendment process concerning a critical security reform.

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The Executive Bill was more robust and more comprehensive than the version previously passed by the Green Chamber.

House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the decision, explaining that the executive bill is more robust and comprehensive. He noted it incorporates additional safeguards developed by a presidential committee chaired by the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. The House will now halt harmonization efforts with the Senate's version and begin legislative work on the President's proposal.

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The deeper lesson of Oyo is that a nation of this magnitude cannot be policed in perpetuity from a single command in Abuja.

Abbas pledged that lawmakers are ready to consider the president's proposals and will give the executive bill expedited attention. He reassured the public that the legislation would undergo full legislative scrutiny, including a public hearing, to address concerns about the process being rushed or conducted without transparency. The Speaker emphasized that the framework will include strong safeguards before any state can be entrusted with its own police service, ensuring accountability and protection of human rights.

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His Excellency the President has now transmitted to the National Assembly an executive version of the state police bill, one that is more robust and more comprehensive than the version this House earlier passed.