The House of Representatives has commenced a clause-by-clause review of President Bola Tinubu’s executive bill seeking to establish state police, marking another significant step toward overhauling Nigeria’s security framework through constitutional amendment.
The exercise, conducted by the House Committee on Constitution Review, is expected to fast-track the legislation, with lawmakers indicating they may largely adopt the version already approved by the Senate while making only limited adjustments.
Speaking during the committee meeting in Abuja, Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Benjamin Kalu, said the House would build on the Senate’s work to ensure the swift passage of what he described as a critical reform aimed at strengthening national security.
Kalu explained that the House had initially passed its own Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police on June 11 before lawmakers proceeded on recess. However, that decision was reversed on July 14 after President Tinubu transmitted an executive bill on the same subject to the National Assembly.
He noted that the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, was well positioned to introduce comprehensive security reforms capable of addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
According to him, the executive bill has already passed its first and second readings in the House, while extensive consultations held during the National Assembly Open Week effectively satisfied the public hearing requirement for the proposed legislation.
“The committee is made up of all its members, and it is our collective responsibility to thoroughly examine this bill and ensure it reflects the aspirations and expectations of Nigerians,” Kalu said.
He described the proposed state police legislation as one of President Tinubu’s flagship constitutional reform initiatives, noting that the President had consistently advocated a multi-layered policing structure since his tenure as governor of Lagos State.
Kalu said Tinubu’s long-standing support for decentralised policing demonstrated consistency between his past advocacy and current efforts as President to address insecurity through constitutional reforms.
He also stressed that although the executive, legislature and judiciary operate independently, they share a common responsibility to advance policies that improve national security.
The Deputy Speaker explained that lawmakers convened outside the House’s traditional Tuesday sitting schedule because of the urgency attached to the legislation.
“Our parliamentary week normally begins on Tuesday, but the importance of this bill requires immediate attention. We are working closely with the executive to ensure this constitutional amendment is passed without unnecessary delay,” he said.
Kalu further disclosed that both chambers of the National Assembly were coordinating their efforts to harmonise the legislation and accelerate the constitutional amendment process, expressing optimism that the bill would soon be transmitted to President Tinubu for assent.
He informed committee members that the Senate-approved version of the executive bill would serve as the primary working document during the clause-by-clause review.
According to him, the executive proposal is largely similar to the version previously considered by the House, with only a handful of additional provisions.
Among the notable changes are the inclusion of Section 31, which provides interpretation, transitional and saving clauses designed to facilitate the implementation of the proposed state police framework, alongside other consequential amendments.
Kalu revealed that the Senate introduced approximately eight minor amendments, all of which would be carefully examined by the House committee before recommendations are submitted to the full House.
He assured lawmakers that the committee would adopt the Senate’s amendments wherever they align with the objectives of the legislation.
The ongoing review represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s constitutional amendment process, as lawmakers move closer to establishing a constitutionally backed multi-tier policing system designed to enhance internal security and improve law enforcement across the country.
