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ABUJA – The Senate has defended the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, describing the legislation as a response to the country’s worsening security challenges rather than a politically motivated initiative.
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, made the clarification in a statement issued on Sunday by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, saying the proposed creation of state police was “a child of necessity and not of political expediency,” as well as “a product of national consensus and not of cynicism.”
According to him, the proposal is of urgent national importance and should not be overshadowed by political considerations or the personal ambitions of any individual.
Bamidele said the process leading to the passage of the bill was extensive and inclusive, stressing that it did not begin recently but evolved through years of constitutional review and consultations with critical stakeholders.
He noted that the proposal formed part of memoranda submitted to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and subsequently underwent rigorous scrutiny through consultations across the federation because of its sensitive nature.
The Senate Leader said the National Assembly engaged the executive, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, the leadership of the Nigeria Police and other stakeholders before the bill was passed.
He further disclosed that during the zonal public hearings conducted by the National Assembly in July 2025, participants across the six geopolitical zones overwhelmingly supported the establishment of state police.
According to him, the Nigeria Police also made significant contributions to the constitutional amendment process by recommending accountability and oversight measures aimed at preventing possible abuse of state police by political actors.
“The resolve of the Nigeria Police to support the bill clearly underscores its strategic national importance in addressing insecurity at both the state and local government levels,” Bamidele said.
He also revealed that the bill received bipartisan support during deliberations in both chambers of the National Assembly.
“Even though the APC is the majority party, members of opposition parties including the PDP, ADC, NDC and Labour Party exercised their discretion in favour of the bill in the national interest rather than on partisan grounds,” he stated.
Giving details of the Senate vote, Bamidele said 84 of the 109 senators voted in support of the bill during clause-by-clause consideration, representing a 77.06 percent approval.
He argued that national security should remain above partisan politics, noting that countries around the world often unite across political divides in support of measures aimed at safeguarding citizens.
The Senate Leader therefore urged opposition parties to contribute constructive ideas that would promote peace, stability and national development, even where they disagree with government policies.
“Opposition leaders are under obligation to provide credible and useful ideas that can make our nation better and greater. Unfortunately, they have not passed this critical test of opposition democracy,” he added.
The State Police Bill, which recently secured passage in the Senate, seeks to amend the 1999 constitution to permit the establishment of state police as part of broader efforts to strengthen internal security and improve policing at the sub-national level.
