The Senate has justified the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, describing the proposed constitutional amendment as a necessary response to Nigeria’s worsening security situation rather than a politically motivated exercise.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele said the proposal for state police arose from pressing national security concerns and extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the country.

He described the bill as “a child of necessity and not of political expediency,” stressing that it was developed through years of constitutional review and broad-based engagement rather than partisan interests.

The bill was approved by the House of Representatives on June 11, 2026, before receiving Senate approval on June 24, 2026, bringing Nigeria a step closer to adopting a dual policing structure.

According to Bamidele, the demand for state police has gained urgency because of the country’s security challenges and should be considered a national priority instead of a political issue.

He explained that the National Assembly consulted widely before passing the legislation, engaging the Executive, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures and the leadership of the Nigeria Police.

He added that public hearings held across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025 attracted overwhelming support for the proposal.

“At each level of our consultation, nearly all stakeholders embraced the State Police Bill in the light of the stark realities we are facing today,” he said.

Bamidele noted that recommendations submitted by the Nigeria Police were incorporated into the bill to strengthen accountability and establish safeguards against possible abuse of the proposed state police by political office holders.

He said the support of the police leadership further demonstrated the importance of decentralising policing to improve security at the state and community levels.

The Senate Leader also stated that the bill underwent rigorous debate in both chambers of the National Assembly before its eventual passage.

He pointed out that lawmakers from opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), National Democratic Coalition (NDC) and Labour Party, also voted in support of the bill despite the All Progressives Congress (APC) holding the majority.

“Even though the APC is the majority, there are members of opposition parties – PDP, ADC, NDC, and the Labour Party – that exercised their discretion in favour of the Bill, mainly in the national interest and not on a parochial basis,” he said.

Bamidele disclosed that 84 of the 109 senators voted in favour of the legislation during the clause-by-clause consideration, representing 77.06 per cent support in the upper chamber.

He argued that security issues should unite rather than divide political actors, describing public safety as a shared national responsibility that cuts across political, ethnic and religious affiliations.

The Senate Leader urged opposition parties to offer constructive contributions aimed at strengthening peace and national stability instead of politicising security reforms.

“Even when they disagree on some grounds, they are under obligations to provide credible and useful ideas that can make our nation better and greater. Unfortunately, they have not passed this critical test of opposition democracy,” he said.

The proposed constitutional amendment has now been forwarded to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, where it must receive approval from at least 24 state legislatures before it can be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

If eventually ratified, the legislation will create a two-tier policing system comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services. Under the arrangement, the Federal Police will continue to handle matters such as national security, terrorism, cybercrime and interstate offences, while state police formations will be responsible for maintaining law and order within their respective states.

The bill also introduces measures intended to prevent political interference. State Commissioners of Police will be appointed by governors subject to confirmation by the relevant State House of Assembly, while any removal must be recommended by the National Police Council and approved by a two-thirds majority of the legislature.

In addition, every state will establish a State Police Service Commission to oversee recruitment, promotions and disciplinary matters. The legislation also provides that no State Police Service can begin operations until the National Assembly certifies that it has met the prescribed national operational standards.

Although the proposal has secured passage by the National Assembly, it must still obtain the endorsement of at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly before it can become law.