The Senate on Wednesday passed the landmark Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police across the federation, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s decades-long push to decentralise policing and tackle the country’s worsening security challenges.
The bill was approved after an extensive clause-by-clause consideration and secured the backing of more than two-thirds of senators through a manual voting process conducted on the floor of the chamber.
The Senate had earlier opted for manual voting following concerns that malfunctioning electronic voting devices could disenfranchise some lawmakers.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the passage of the legislation during plenary after senators overwhelmingly endorsed the proposal.
The approval followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution by Deputy Senate President and committee chairman, Barau Jibrin.
The bill’s provisions were first examined by the Committee of the Whole before being adopted and subjected to a final vote.
Leading the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele urged lawmakers to support what many described as a crucial reform aimed at strengthening internal security and enhancing responses to local threats.
The passage represents a major stage in ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture amid growing concerns over insecurity across the country.
Several prominent government officials observed the proceedings, including Uba Sani, Dapo Abiodun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Femi Gbajabiamila.
If eventually approved by the National Assembly and ratified by the required number of state Houses of Assembly, the constitutional amendment will pave the way for the establishment of state-controlled police forces alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force.
The proposal has gained momentum amid increasing calls for policing reforms and greater involvement of state governments in addressing security challenges.
Before the vote, the Senate resolved to adopt manual voting to ensure transparency and inclusiveness.
Under the arrangement, senators stood individually, announced their names, and openly declared their positions on the proposed state police framework.
Moving the motion, Bamidele said the procedure was necessary to guarantee transparency and prevent any senator from being excluded due to technical issues with electronic voting devices.
The motion was seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, with lawmakers arguing that the process would not only prevent disenfranchisement but also make each senator’s position on the contentious issue publicly known.
