The House of Representatives is set to take a decisive step toward the establishment of state police as lawmakers prepare to vote on key constitutional amendment bills, including provisions for decentralized policing.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, announced this at a media briefing shortly after plenary, stating that the House has prioritised the consideration of the state police proposal ahead of other constitutional amendment bills.
According to him, the House has directed all members currently outside Abuja on oversight functions to suspend their engagements and return to the National Assembly on Thursday for the voting process.
The Deputy Speaker reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture through constitutional reforms and expressed confidence that the proposed amendment would receive the support of state governors and state Houses of Assembly after passage by the National Assembly.
According to him, such support would accelerate the transmission of the bill to Bola Tinubu for presidential assent.
Kalu also appealed to lawmakers currently engaged in oversight activities across the country to return to Abuja and participate in the constitutional amendment vote.
Describing the nation’s security situation as an emergency, he urged members to set aside other engagements and take part in the session as a demonstration of the legislature’s commitment to addressing insecurity and strengthening the country’s security framework.
The proposed state police bill is sponsored by the Deputy Speaker alongside 14 other members of the House of Representatives.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture through constitutional amendments aimed at improving policing efficiency and addressing rising security challenges across the country.
Lawmakers are expected to deliberate and vote on the bill during Thursday’s session as part of the ongoing constitutional review process.
