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The Senate on Wednesday passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria, with more than two-thirds of senators voting in support.
The passage followed a clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, which was conducted through a manual voting process on the floor of the chamber. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the result after lawmakers voted on the proposal.
The upper chamber approved the bill after considering the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who chairs the committee.
The legislation seeks to establish a state policing framework that would operate alongside the existing federal police system, ending the National Government’s exclusive control over policing.
Under the proposed amendment, state governors would have the authority to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by state Houses of Assembly.
The bill also includes provisions outlining the operational relationship between governors and state police commands, as well as safeguards aimed at preventing the use of state police to suppress dissent or target political opponents.
Senators adopted manual voting after concerns were raised that faulty electronic voting devices could prevent some lawmakers from participating. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved the motion for manual voting.
Several senior government officials observed the proceedings, including Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The bill will now require approval by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly before it can become law.
The proposal has been the subject of longstanding debate, with advocates arguing that Nigeria’s centrally controlled police structure is overstretched, while critics have raised concerns about potential abuse by state governors.
