State police closer as NASS defines federal, state powers

Nigeria's National Assembly has moved closer to establishing State Police, a significant constitutional reform aimed at decentralizing policing powers. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have shown strong willingness to amend the 1999 Constitution to facilitate this change, particularly as the country grapples with escalating security challenges.

The House of Representatives passed the proposed legislation with substantial backing, with 290 out of 360 members present voting in favor. The bill seeks to transfer the power to establish and control police formations from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. This amendment would empower individual states to create and manage their own police forces, addressing local security needs more effectively.

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Security is the foundation upon which every other aspiration of nationhood rests.

Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, announced that 289 members voted in favor, with only one against, after an electronic voting system malfunctioned. The bill, co-sponsored by Kalu and 14 other lawmakers, had previously passed its second reading on February 20, 2024. It specifically targets amendments to Sections 197, 214, and 215 of the Constitution.

Abbas emphasized the bill's importance, stating, "Security is the foundation upon which every other aspiration of nationhood rests." He added, "By passing this bill, the House has taken a decisive constitutional step towards creating a policing framework that is more responsive to local realities while remaining firmly anchored within the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria." The legislation was prioritized within the ongoing constitutional review process.

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By passing this bill, the House has taken a decisive constitutional step towards creating a policing framework that is more responsive to local realities while remaining firmly anchored within the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.