The House of Representatives, has commenced consideration of the Executive Bill seeking the establishment of State Police, transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu as part of ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s internal security framework.
Speaking during a meeting of the House Committee on Constitution Review on Monday, the Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, disclosed that the House could adopt the version of the State Police Bill already passed by the Senate, subject to only minor amendments where necessary.
Kalu recalled that before the National Assembly embarked on recess, the House had on June 11 passed its own Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police.
However, following the transmission of the Executive Bill by President Tinubu, lawmakers on July 14 rescinded that decision to pave the way for consideration of the President’s proposal.
He said the House initially approved the Police Constitution Alteration Bill on June 11, but reversed the decision after the president forwarded an Executive Bill, explaining that the move was necessary to allow lawmakers consider the proposal from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The deputy speaker stated that the president, given his constitutional responsibility for national security, was in the best position to introduce comprehensive legislation capable of addressing the country’s growing security challenges.
He explained that the Executive Bill had already scaled first and second readings in the House, while the extensive stakeholder engagement held during the National Assembly Open Week effectively served as the required public hearing, thereby satisfying the constitutional and legislative requirements for the bill’s consideration.
Kalu reminded members that the Constitution Review Committee comprised all its members and not only the leadership, stressing that every member had a responsibility to thoroughly scrutinise the legislation to ensure it reflected the aspirations and expectations of Nigerians.
He described the proposed State Police Bill as one of President Tinubu’s flagship constitutional reform initiatives, noting that the President had consistently advocated a multi-layered policing system since his tenure as Governor of Lagos State.
According to him, “Tinubu’s continued support for State Police demonstrates consistency between his long-held convictions and his actions in office, as he continues to champion the reform as a strategic response to Nigeria’s security challenges.”
Kalu emphasised that although the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary function as separate arms of government, they remained united in pursuing national goals, particularly the protection of lives and property across the country.
He maintained that both the Executive and the Legislature were aligned on the need to prioritise security, stressing that there was now a broad national consensus that improving security must remain at the centre of governance.