By George Ozalla
The Senate will reconvene on Tuesday for an emergency plenary session to consider and pass the Constitution Amendment Bill seeking the establishment of state police across the country following the failure of an earlier attempt due to the inability of the chamber to meet the required quorum.
The emergency sitting is expected to bring senators back from recess to deliberate on the highly anticipated legislation, which has generated widespread interest among security stakeholders, policymakers and the general public.
The proposed constitutional amendment is designed to create a framework for state policing by allowing state governments to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force. Proponents of the bill have argued that decentralising policing would enhance security, strengthen intelligence gathering and improve response to local security challenges across the federation.
The bill could not be passed before the Senate proceeded on recess as the chamber failed to secure the constitutionally required number of lawmakers needed to consider and approve constitutional amendment proposals. Senate leadership subsequently intensified consultations and mobilization efforts to ensure adequate attendance for the emergency session.
The emergency sitting was reportedly convened at the instance of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, with senators formally notified of the special session through the office of the Clerk of the Senate.
The State Police Bill is one of the most significant constitutional reform proposals currently before the National Assembly. If approved by the Senate, it would further advance efforts to restructure Nigeria’s security architecture and grant states greater responsibility in maintaining law and order within their jurisdictions.
Supporters of the initiative have maintained that the present centralized policing system has become overstretched in the face of rising security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and communal conflicts. They contend that state police would complement federal policing efforts and provide more effective security coverage at the grassroots level.
However, concerns have also been raised in some quarters over the possibility of political interference and abuse of state-controlled police formations. Advocates of the bill have responded that appropriate constitutional safeguards, oversight mechanisms and accountability measures can be incorporated to prevent misuse while ensuring effective service delivery.
The House of Representatives had earlier passed the bill, paving the way for Senate consideration. Should the upper chamber approve the proposal, it would still require ratification by at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to the President for assent in accordance with constitutional provisions governing amendments.
The clamour for state police has remained a major issue in Nigeria’s constitutional and security discourse for several years, with increasing calls from governors, traditional rulers, security experts and civil society groups for a policing structure that is more responsive to local realities and emerging security threats.
