The Ekiti State House of Assembly has confirmed receipt of a bill from the National Assembly, seeking constitutional amendments to establish State Police Services in Nigeria. Speaker Adeoye Aribasoye disclosed this following a letter from the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly, dated 16 September 2026. The letter transmitted the bill to the state legislature for consideration and approval.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to Provide for the Establishment of State Police Services and for Related Matters,” was passed by the Senate on 24 June 2026 and by the House of Representatives on 23 July 2026. The proposed constitutional alteration aims to provide a framework for State Police Services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the Federal Police Service.
The National Assembly has urged the Ekiti Assembly to expedite consideration of the bill and communicate its resolution to the National Assembly promptly. This is to facilitate the conclusion of the constitutional alteration process in accordance with the Constitution. The letter was signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogmulana, Esq.
Responding to the development, Speaker Aribasoye noted that the Ekiti Assembly is ready to commence legislative processes for considering the bill. He stressed that lawmakers will accord it the required attention. The bill will undergo administrative processes before being listed by the House Rules and Business Committee for legislative consideration.
Aribasoye directed the Clerk of the House to ensure that all necessary administrative processes are concluded within one or two weeks. This will enable the bill to be scheduled for consideration without unnecessary delay. The Speaker also directed the Chairman of the Rules and Business Committee to work closely with the Clerk to fix a date for the House to consider the bill promptly.
The Ekiti Assembly's timely consideration of the bill is significant, as it could pave the way for the establishment of state police services in Nigeria. The proposed constitutional alteration has been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The bill's passage may lead to a more decentralized policing system in the country.
The Speaker's directive to the Clerk and the Rules and Business Committee Chairman aims to ensure that the administrative work is completed quickly. This will enable the House to consider the bill and communicate its resolution to the National Assembly. The Ekiti Assembly's prompt action on the bill may set a precedent for other state assemblies to follow.
Key points
- The Ekiti State House of Assembly has confirmed receipt of the bill seeking constitutional amendments for state police services.
- The bill was passed by the Senate on 24 June 2026 and by the House of Representatives on 23 July 2026.
- The Ekiti Assembly aims to conclude the administrative processes and consider the bill within a short timeframe.
