The House of Representatives has withdrawn its proposed constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, opting instead to consider a similar proposal transmitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The decision was announced during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers gave the Executive-sponsored Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 its first and second readings.
The bill was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.
The move effectively sets aside the House’s earlier proposal as lawmakers consolidate efforts around the Executive-backed amendment.
At the committee stage, the bill will undergo detailed scrutiny before it is returned to the House for debate and consideration.
President Tinubu had formally transmitted the proposed legislation to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, seeking constitutional backing for the establishment of state police services across the country.
In a letter accompanying the bill, the President said the amendment seeks to create the constitutional framework for the establishment and operation of state police as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
Tinubu said the proposal builds on earlier legislative work by the House while introducing additional safeguards to ensure the effective operation of a dual policing system involving both federal and state law enforcement agencies.
“I am delighted to present to the House of Representatives for consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police Services,” the President wrote.
According to Tinubu, the proposed framework is intended to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by creating a more responsive and efficient policing structure.
“This Bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving security challenges can be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.
Describing the proposal as a key pillar of his administration’s security reform agenda, the President expressed confidence that lawmakers would expedite its passage.
“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I am confident that the House of Representatives will act quickly to consider and pass this Bill,” he added.
Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the bill accelerated consideration, saying the proposed reforms are essential to improving public safety and strengthening the country’s security framework.
The transmission of the bill came less than two weeks after the Senate passed a similar constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police services across the federation.
