The House of Representatives is poised to vote on Thursday on a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police in Nigeria, a move lawmakers describe as a major legislative response to the country's escalating security crisis.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. He urged all lawmakers to be physically present for the plenary session, directing members currently on oversight functions across the country to suspend their activities and return to the capital for the vote.
Mr. Kalu said the lower chamber had prioritised the state police proposal over other constitutional amendment bills under consideration. He argued that the nation’s centralised policing structure, as currently provided for in the 1999 Constitution, has proven inadequate in responding effectively to emerging security threats such as banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.
The bill, jointly sponsored by the deputy speaker and 14 other lawmakers, seeks to transfer policing from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list, thereby empowering states to establish and control their own police formations. To achieve this, the proposed legislation aims to amend Sections 197, 214, and 215 of the constitution.
Speaking on behalf of the 37 House caucus leaders, Mr. Kalu insisted that the legislature must deploy its constitutional tools to address the country’s security challenges beyond summoning service chiefs and holding oversight meetings. He maintained that leaving the law as it stands will not meet the expectations of Nigerians regarding the issue of insecurity.
The deputy speaker expressed confidence that the proposal would secure the backing of lawmakers during Thursday’s vote and subsequently receive the support of state governments. According to him, extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including the Inspector-General of Police, state governors, and the executive arm, have produced broad consensus on the need for decentralised policing. We have seen the body language of the governors of these 36 states, and they are in support of state police, he said.
He dismissed reports suggesting attempts to frustrate the initiative, declaring that the parliament remains united and marching forward on the amendment. The deputy speaker assured Nigerians that improved security response times are imminent and that the reform would soon progress to state assemblies for ratification before being transmitted to the president for assent. Describing the nation’s security situation as an emergency, he urged all members to demonstrate their commitment by participating in what he called a critical vote for the nation’s security architecture.
To pass, the bill must secure a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, requiring at least 240 votes in the House of Representatives, followed by approval by a simple majority of at least 24 of the 36 state houses of assembly.
ANN Politics
Tags
News