The House of Representatives has formally withdrawn its own constitutional amendment bill on state police, opting instead to advance a version transmitted by the Executive arm of government. The decision was taken during Tuesday's plenary session on July 13, 2026, where the Executive-sponsored bill received both its first and second readings on the House floor.
Shift in Legislative Strategy
According to a report by Punch, the withdrawal of the House's own bill marks a significant shift in the legislative approach to one of Nigeria's most debated governance reforms. Rather than pursuing two separate bills on the same subject, the chamber consolidated efforts around the Executive proposal. The Speaker referred the bill to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for detailed examination after the readings.
Next Steps: Committee Scrutiny
The House Committee on Constitutional Review will now scrutinise the bill's key provisions, which may include the structure of command and control for proposed state police forces, funding arrangements, and safeguards against potential abuse by state governors, as reported by Daily Trust. The committee will report back to the full House, where members will debate and vote on the bill's merits before it can advance further in the amendment process.
Broader Context: Budget Disputes
Previously, Legit.ng reported that the House of Representatives does not require President Bola Tinubu to appear before it to address budget concerns, according to Deputy Spokesperson Hon. Philip Agbese. He made this known on Sunday, July 12, after a fractious plenary session on Wednesday, July 8, exposed deep divisions among lawmakers over budget implementation, particularly concerning constituency projects.
