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Torkwase Nyiekaa
The Parliament Support Network (PSN) has commended Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and members of the 10th House for the passage of the State Police Bill, describing the development as a landmark step towards addressing Nigeria’s longstanding security challenges and strengthening the country’s security architecture.
The group said the overwhelming support recorded during the bill’s consideration demonstrated the commitment of the House to pursuing reforms capable of improving the safety of lives and property across the federation.
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, with 288 lawmakers voting in support and only four opposing it. The proposal seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create a legal framework for state policing alongside the existing federal police structure.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued in Abuja, the Executive Director of the Parliament Support Network, Dr. Moses Onoja, described the passage of the bill as a historic achievement in Nigeria’s democratic and security reform journey.
According to him, the decision reflects the readiness of the National Assembly to embrace innovative solutions to the country’s complex security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
“The passage of the State Police Bill is a landmark achievement that underscores the responsiveness of the 10th House of Representatives to the yearnings of Nigerians. It is a bold and visionary step towards strengthening security governance and improving public safety across the federation,” Onoja said.
He noted that Nigeria’s centralised policing structure has come under increasing strain in recent years as security threats continue to evolve across different parts of the country.
Onoja argued that decentralising policing through the creation of state police would enhance intelligence gathering, improve operational efficiency and enable quicker responses to emerging security threats at the local level.
According to him, state-based policing would also provide law enforcement agencies with a better understanding of local dynamics, cultural realities and peculiar security concerns within their jurisdictions.
The PSN executive director particularly praised Speaker Abbas for providing leadership throughout the constitutional amendment process and creating an atmosphere that enabled lawmakers to engage constructively on critical national issues.
“The Speaker has shown exemplary leadership in driving reforms that have direct relevance to the security and welfare of Nigerians. The House deserves commendation for placing national interest above partisan considerations in the consideration of this important bill,” he said.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the House Committee on Constitution Review, noting that extensive consultations, stakeholder engagements and public hearings contributed significantly to the emergence of the proposal.
Onoja urged the Senate, state Houses of Assembly and other relevant stakeholders to support the bill as it progresses through the remaining stages of the constitutional amendment process.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional amendment procedure, the bill must secure concurrence from the Senate and receive approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to the President for assent.
The PSN expressed optimism that the proposed reform would strengthen grassroots security, deepen the practice of federalism and improve the country’s capacity to tackle insecurity more effectively.
While acknowledging that state police may not provide an immediate solution to all security concerns, Onoja maintained that the reform represents a critical structural intervention capable of transforming security governance in the country.
“The establishment of state police will not solve every security problem overnight, but it represents a major structural reform that can significantly improve the country’s capacity to prevent and respond to crime. This is a legacy initiative that deserves the support of all well-meaning Nigerians,” he added.
The debate over state policing has remained a recurring issue in Nigeria’s constitutional and governance discourse, with proponents arguing that decentralised policing is necessary to address the country’s diverse and increasingly localised security challenges. The passage of the bill by the House of Representatives is therefore being viewed by many stakeholders as one of the most significant security reform initiatives undertaken in recent years.
