State Police Bill Passes National Assembly
Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, Dennis Guwor, has commended the National Assembly for passing the State Police Bill. In a statement issued on Thursday in Asaba, Guwor described the development as a significant milestone in the ongoing national discourse on policing, security, and true federalism.
Guwor, who also serves as the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, noted that state legislatures have consistently supported community-based policing across Nigeria. According to him, decentralised policing will enhance security response and address peculiar challenges within local communities.
Local Policing for Local Challenges
“Nigerians deserve a policing structure that understands the local terrain and evolving security realities,” Guwor said. He assured that state assemblies would give the bill thorough and diligent consideration as it progresses through the constitutional amendment process.
The chairman added that the Conference of Speakers would engage relevant stakeholders and conduct public hearings where necessary before taking formal positions. Guwor commended the Senate for advancing the proposal and urged all stakeholders to sustain constructive engagement on the reform.
Next Steps for Constitutional Amendment
He reaffirmed the conference’s commitment to collaborating with relevant institutions to strengthen security and governance nationwide. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate passed the Constitution Alteration Bill on Wednesday, seeking to decentralise policing by empowering states to establish their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for State Police and Related Matters, 2026,” was passed after clause-by-clause consideration. The House of Representatives had earlier passed the bill on 11 June.
Two-Thirds of State Assemblies Required
With the passage of the bill by both chambers of the National Assembly, at least two-thirds (24) of the 36 State Houses of Assembly must vote in support of the bill before the president signs it into law. This requirement underscores the importance of state-level approval for the constitutional change.
Guwor’s endorsement highlights the broad support among state legislators for the reform, which aims to improve security by allowing states to tailor policing to local needs. The Conference of Speakers is expected to play a key role in rallying state assemblies to approve the bill.
