Reps to vote on State Police proposal tomorrow amid security push.

By Gift Chapi-Odekina, Abuja

The House of Representatives will vote tomorrow on a constitutional amendment bill that would establish state police forces, as part of a broader legislative effort to tackle Nigeria’s escalating security problems.

House leaders confirmed in Abuja the night before the session that the proposal has gained significant traction within the ongoing constitutional review, with lawmakers optimistic about its likelihood of approval.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, speaking for the House leadership, said the legislature is determined to use constitutional mechanisms to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework, noting that the current centralized policing model has become insufficient for addressing emerging threats nationwide.

Kalu explained that the House has conducted extensive engagement with security agencies, service chiefs, the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office and other stakeholders through its oversight role, but emphasized that deeper structural reforms are now required.

He added that a growing consensus exists among key stakeholders—including the Inspector-General of Police, state governors and executive officials—in favor of decentralizing policing to improve effectiveness and response times.

“Hope is coming. The hope of having better response time to incidents of crime is here,” Kalu and other House leaders said, expressing confidence that the reform would progress through the legislative process.

He disclosed that the House Committee on Constitution Review has worked extensively on provisions to create a legal framework for state police, describing the proposal as a critical response to Nigeria’s security realities.

The Deputy Speaker also urged lawmakers currently on oversight duties across the country to return to Abuja for the vote, describing the security situation as urgent and requiring full parliamentary attention.

“We want all our members to be in the House so that we can show our constituents that we are in support of state police and that security remains a priority on our agenda,” he said.

House leaders further expressed confidence that, once passed by the National Assembly, the proposal would receive the support of state Houses of Assembly and governors, paving the way for presidential assent.

The renewed push for state policing comes amid increasing calls from stakeholders for decentralization of Nigeria’s security system, with advocates arguing that it would improve intelligence gathering, enhance grassroots policing and strengthen overall national security.

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