Prosper Okoye
Senate has pledged to complete the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to allow the creation of state police before the end of 2026.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said recently that the upper chamber would resume work on the constitutional review once plenary reconvenes next week. The move follows President Bola Tinubu’s request to the National Assembly to begin the amendment process as part of efforts to tackle the nation’s rising insecurity.
Addressing senators at an interfaith breaking of fast at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, Tinubu urged lawmakers to consider how best to incorporate state police, saying it would help secure the country, protect forests from marauders, and free children from fear. He also cautioned that the creation of state police should include safeguards to prevent abuse by governors.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAdaramodu said the Senate was ready to fast-track the amendment, noting that groundwork had already been carried out before attention shifted to the recent electoral reform. “We want to assure Nigerians that before the general election, we would have amended the constitution to allow for the creation of state police,” he said. Consultations had already been held nationwide, with reports compiled from stakeholders and relevant sectors.
State police has received broad support, Adaramodu added, pointing out backing from the President, state governors, and the National Assembly.
However, stakeholders have warned against potential misuse. Baba Ngelzarma, president of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, said clear constitutional provisions were needed to prevent governors from exploiting state police for political purposes. He called for recruitment to reflect ethnic and religious diversity within each state and for oversight mechanisms to monitor the new force.
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Similarly, Afenifere’s national publicity secretary, Jare Ajayi, said local security challenges required locally driven responses but stressed that legal safeguards were essential to prevent abuse. He said citizens should be able to challenge any misuse of state police through the courts.
Ayodele Arise, a senior All Progressives Congress figure, urged public enlightenment on the advantages and risks of state police and proposed amending Section 214 of the Constitution to move policing to the Concurrent List, allowing both federal and state police forces. He expressed confidence that the amendment could be achieved within months, given the ruling party’s majority in the National Assembly and control of most states.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
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