House Of Reps Withdraws Own State Police Bill After Tinubu’s Proposal

The House of Representatives has withdrawn its proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police, opting instead to consider a similar bill transmitted by the Executive.

The development emerged during Tuesday’s plenary after the lawmakers gave the Executive-sponsored state police bill its first and second readings.

The bill was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.

The decision effectively suspends the House’s earlier proposal as lawmakers shift attention to the Executive-backed amendment.

The Executive bill is expected to undergo detailed scrutiny at the committee stage, where lawmakers will examine its key provisions before it is returned to the floor for further consideration.

President Tinubu had earlier formally transmitted to the Senate a Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of state police, as part of steps toward the decentralisation of Nigeria's policing system.

The proposed legislation aims to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to provide a legal framework for the creation and operation of state-controlled police formations across the country.

The move is in line with President Tinubu's repeated calls for constitutional reforms that would grant state governments greater authority in addressing security challenges within their jurisdictions.