The Rivers State House of Assembly has expressed its support for the bill to create state police in Nigeria. This move aligns with the assemblies in Osun and Edo states, which have also declared their backing for the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution. The bill, transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly by the National Assembly on September 16, 2026, aims to establish a decentralized policing system.
According to Section 9 of the Constitution, at least 24 of the 36 state Houses of Assembly must approve the amendment before it can be sent to the President for assent. The National Assembly has given the state legislatures a 30-day administrative timeframe to consider the bill. The Rivers Assembly unanimously voted to approve the proposed alteration during a plenary session on Monday, presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
Speaker Amaewhule highlighted that the Assembly fully supports President Bola Tinubu's efforts to secure citizens' lives and property through the establishment of state police. He drew attention to Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to alter the Constitution. The Speaker explained that the proposed amendment seeks to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of state police services, subject to the Constitution and an Act of the National Assembly.
The proposed amendment preserves the Federal Police Service as the default police service in any state until a state police service is lawfully established and certified operational. It also establishes constitutional guardrails covering civilian control, human rights, national minimum standards, independent Police Service Commissions, intergovernmental cooperation, and exceptional federal intervention in state policing.
The Speaker presented the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, 2022, which contains 26 clauses, including 25 alterations or substitutions to provisions of the Constitution. Following the reading, a vote was taken, with all lawmakers present indicating support by raising their hands. The Clerk counted 25 members in favor, none against, and no abstentions.
Speaker Amaewhule described the introduction of police at the sub-national level as a welcome development, emphasizing the need for collaboration to ensure citizens' safety. He thanked the lawmakers for casting what he called the right vote after consulting their constituents, noting that Nigerians have long clamored for police at the sub-national levels to complement the efforts of the police.
The Rivers State Assembly's support for the bill brings the total number of supporting state assemblies to three, including Osun and Edo. The Assembly's backing demonstrates its commitment to prioritizing the security of lives and property in the state. The bill's passage will now be forwarded to the President for assent, pending approval from 21 more state Houses of Assembly.
Key points
- The Rivers State House of Assembly has backed the bill for the creation of state police in Nigeria, joining Osun and Edo in supporting the proposed constitutional amendment.
