State Police Bill Faces Delays as Only Four States Approve Amendment

The quest for state police in Nigeria has hit a significant roadblock, as only four states—Edo, Osun, Oyo, and Rivers—have thus far approved the proposed constitutional amendment. This development comes as the National Assembly had transmitted the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to all 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16, urging them to respond within 30 days. However, with only 12 days remaining, many states have yet to commence deliberations on the bill, and some are still awaiting its formal transmission from the National Assembly.

The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated; the establishment of state police is being widely advocated as a vital response to Nigeria’s escalating security issues. The National Assembly's call for concurrence requires at least two-thirds of the state legislatures, or 24 out of 36, to approve the amendment before it can advance to the next legislative stage. Currently, the slow pace of approvals raises alarms about the constitutional amendment process and its implications for national security.

According to Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, the alteration of the Constitution necessitates substantial support from state assemblies. Yet, only four states have taken the initiative to endorse the proposal, leaving a daunting gap of 20 more approvals needed. The sluggish responses from other states suggest a reluctance or logistical delays in addressing the pressing security concerns that state policing aims to mitigate.

“The development raises concerns over the pace of the constitutional amendment process,” noted a political analyst familiar with the legislative process. “With the increasing security challenges in Nigeria, the need for a swift and decisive response is more critical than ever.”

This stagnation in legislative action not only reflects the challenges of governance at the state level but also underscores the complexities involved in constitutional reforms aimed at enhancing security frameworks. As the deadline approaches, stakeholders and citizens alike are watching closely to see whether more states will step up to support the bill, which could fundamentally redefine the landscape of policing in Nigeria.