By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
The House of Representatives has withdrawn its own constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, opting instead to consider a similar proposal transmitted by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The decision came during Tuesday’s plenary session, where lawmakers swiftly gave the Executive-sponsored bill its first and second readings before referring it to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.
The move effectively suspends the House’s earlier initiative as legislators pivot to the Executive-backed amendment, which is expected to undergo detailed scrutiny at the committee stage before returning to the floor for final consideration.
The development marks a significant shift in the ongoing debate over state policing, which has gained renewed momentum amid growing concerns about rising insecurity across the country. While the House had previously pursued its own constitutional amendment on the matter, the adoption of the Executive’s proposal signals a unified approach between both arms of government.
Lawmakers are expected to examine the bill’s key provisions thoroughly, including funding mechanisms, operational frameworks, and safeguards against potential abuse, before the amendment can proceed to the Senate for concurrence.
The passage of the state police bill would require amending the 1999 Constitution to remove policing from the Exclusive Legislative List, allowing states to establish their own law enforcement agencies.
