On June 26, 2026, the momentum toward decentralizing Nigeria’s security architecture reached a critical milestone as Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, state governors, the Forum of APC Speakers, and the Labour Party collectively threw their weight behind the newly passed Constitution Alteration Bill.
The widespread endorsements come less than 24 hours after the Senate passed the bill, bringing Nigeria closer than ever to ending its decades-long debate on state policing. To become law, the bill must now be ratified by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly before being transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for his assent.
Governors and lawmakers across the federation have praised the National Assembly’s swift action, citing the urgent need to address lingering security challenges like banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping through localized law enforcement.
Benue State: Governor Hyacinth Alia lauded the National Assembly and President Tinubu’s visionary leadership, calling the bill a “courageous and timely step.” He emphasized that state police formations will possess a superior understanding of local terrains, cultures, and community dynamics to enable faster threat responses.
Geopolitical Backing: The Forum of Progressive Speakers (APC), chaired by Jigawa State Speaker Haruna Dangyatin, called the passage a “historic breakthrough” for community-focused policing. Concurrently, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, led by Delta State Speaker Emomotimi Guwor, assured Nigerians that State Assemblies will give the bill diligent, swift consideration.
State Readiness: Legislative leaders in Bayelsa, Plateau, and Ondo states expressed strong readiness to expedite the bill’s passage. Ondo State Speaker Olamide Oladiji dismissed fears of political weaponization, pointing to the successful, non-partisan track record of regional security initiatives like Amotekun. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Kano, Gombe, and Akwa Ibom have initiated extensive stakeholder consultations and public hearings to evaluate the bill against local peculiarities.
The Labour Party: Endorsing the reform, the Labour Party (LP) urged nationwide bipartisan support. National Publicity Secretary Ken Asogwa stated that while fears of abuse by governors are understandable, the strict constitutional safeguards embedded in the bill are sufficient to ensure accountability.
Conversely, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) voiced opposition, arguing that the current administration lacks the public trust required for such a fundamental restructuring, and advised deferring the reform until after the next general election cycles.
The Blueprint: A Dual Policing Structure
The bill formally transitions Nigeria from a centralized system to a dual policing framework:
The Federal Police Service: Retains jurisdiction over national security matters, including terrorism, cybercrime, border protection, organized crime, arms trafficking, and policing within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
State Police Services: Tasked with enforcing state laws, maintaining public safety, and managing local crime. No state police service can operate until it complies with minimum national standards certified by the National Assembly.
To mitigate long-standing fears of governors abusing state police forces to target political opponents, the proposed amendment introduces unprecedented checks, balances, and civilian oversight:
An Expanded National Police Council: The council will evolve into a highly diverse oversight body. Chaired by a presidential appointee confirmed by the National Assembly, it will include the Attorney-General of the Federation, all 36 State Attorneys-General, retired police chiefs representing the six geopolitical zones, and representatives from civil society, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Public Complaints Commission.
Protection of Police Chiefs: State Governors are strictly prohibited from arbitrarily dismissing or suspending a State Commissioner of Police. Removal can only occur for a stated cause, following a fair hearing recommended by the National Police Council, and must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in the respective State House of Assembly.
Civil Liberty Safeguards: The bill explicitly bars governors from issuing operational directives aimed at arresting, investigating, or intimidating specific individuals, political parties, or groups.
Federal Intervention Powers: The Federal Police Service retains the constitutional right to temporarily assume operational control of a state police force under exceptional circumstances. This includes an imminent breakdown of public order, a formal request by a governor, administrative/financial collapse, or systemic human rights violations. Such interventions must be authorized in writing by the President, and the National Assembly, National Police Council, and state executives must be formally notified within 48 hours.
As State Houses of Assembly prepare to receive the transmission from the National Assembly, the country stands on the threshold of its most profound security and governance reform in modern history.
