The Senate has scheduled deliberations this week on constitutional amendments aimed at establishing State Police across Nigeria, with plans to transmit the proposal to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, saying stakeholders across the country are largely aligned on the need for decentralised policing.
He said the National Assembly may isolate the State Police provision from other amendment proposals to fast-track its passage due to its urgency.
He said President Bola Tinubu, state governors, and key security stakeholders have expressed support for the initiative.
“Our position is very clear on State Police. We are standing with Nigerians. All strata of the federation have made it clear that there cannot be a better time than now to establish State Police,” Bamidele said.
He explained that the proposed amendment would be prioritised during the legislative week beginning Tuesday, describing it as one of the most critical items before the Senate.
Bamidele noted that consultations had been ongoing between the Senate and House Committees on Constitution Review, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Inspector-General of Police, and other relevant stakeholders.
He added that the bill would be transmitted to state assemblies for approval, stressing that at least two-thirds of the 36 Houses of Assembly must endorse it before presidential assent.
