Senate to Vote on State Police Bill and Other Key Constitutional Amendments

The Nigerian Senate is preparing to vote on the controversial State Police Bill along with six other significant constitutional amendments.

This decision aligns with the Senate’s commitment to reform the nation’s governance framework, highlighting the devolution of powers, electoral and judicial reforms, citizenship rights, and increased state autonomy.

According to DAILY POST, the Senate will also consider several constitutional amendments beyond the State Police Establishment Bill, such as placing the Armed Forces of the Federation on a constitutional ‘first-line charge’ and ensuring direct access to funding from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Granting constitutional recognition and financial autonomy to traditional rulers by establishing State Councils of Traditional Rulers.

Introducing independent candidacy for governorship, legislative, and local government elections.

Establishing a constitutionally-backed Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute election-related crimes.

Amending the constitution to require courts to automatically commute death sentences imposed on pregnant women to life imprisonment when pregnancy is established to the court’s satisfaction.

Outlawing the public parade of criminal suspects by law enforcement agencies, labeling the practice as inhuman and degrading treatment, and reinforcing the constitutional presumption of innocence. The amendments also aim to strengthen local government autonomy, expand children’s rights protections, improve the independence of electoral institutions, devolve additional powers to states, enhance fiscal accountability, and provide greater constitutional support to key democratic institutions.