The House of Representatives has withdrawn its proposed constitutional amendment on the establishment of state police, opting instead to consider a similar bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The development emerged during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers gave the Executive-sponsored Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 its first and second readings.
Following the readings, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative consideration.
The decision effectively puts the House’s earlier proposal on hold as lawmakers shift their focus to the Executive-backed amendment, which is expected to serve as the primary legislative vehicle for the creation of state police.
President Tinubu, in a letter addressed to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, said the proposed constitutional amendment is aimed at providing the legal framework for the establishment and operation of state police services across Nigeria as part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
According to the President, the bill builds on previous legislative initiatives by the House while introducing additional safeguards to ensure the effective operation of a dual policing system involving both federal and state law enforcement agencies.
Tinubu said the proposed framework is intended to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by creating a more responsive and efficient policing structure capable of improving public safety across the country.
He urged lawmakers to give the bill expedited consideration, describing the proposed constitutional reforms as critical to strengthening the nation’s security framework.
The House’s decision comes barely two weeks after the Senate passed a similar constitutional amendment bill seeking constitutional backing for the establishment of state police services across the federation.
The Executive-sponsored bill will now undergo detailed scrutiny by the House Committee on Constitutional Review before returning to the chamber for debate and possible passage.
House of Representatives withdraws its own version of State Police constitutional amendment.
Today, the House passed the first and second readings of the Executive’s version of the state police bill and referred the bill to the Committee on Constitutional Review for further… pic.twitter.com/eK4RRGYgZM
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) July 14, 2026
