The Nigerian Senate has set a deadline of November 15 for state legislatures to approve a bill that would allow for the creation of state police forces. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced the deadline during a plenary session, stating that 30 state legislatures have already approved the bill. This number surpasses the constitutional requirement of at least 24 states. The bill aims to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of state police forces.
The widespread endorsement of the bill demonstrates growing support for the establishment of state police forces as part of efforts to address Nigeria's security challenges. According to Bamidele, the states that have approved the bill include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urged lawmakers to allow the remaining six states additional time to consider the proposed amendment.
Akpabio stated that any state legislature that fails to communicate its decision by November 15 would be regarded as having withheld its approval. The Senate unanimously endorsed this position, effectively setting a final deadline for outstanding responses. The proposed amendment seeks to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of state police forces, a longstanding demand by governors and other stakeholders seeking greater decentralization of policing responsibilities.
Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, constitutional amendments generally require approval by at least two-thirds of members of each chamber of the National Assembly and resolutions from at least two-thirds of the 36 state legislatures. Although the reported 30 state approvals exceed the constitutional threshold, the amendment must still complete the required legislative procedures before being presented to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
The National Assembly is moving to conclude the constitutional amendment process before transmitting the legislation to the President for assent. The Senate's decision to set a deadline for state legislatures to approve the bill is a significant step towards the creation of state police forces. The bill has been widely supported by stakeholders, who believe it will help address Nigeria's security challenges.
The creation of state police forces is expected to decentralize policing responsibilities and improve security in the country. The bill's passage is also seen as a major achievement for the National Assembly, which has been working to conclude the constitutional amendment process. The Senate's deadline for state legislatures to approve the bill is a crucial step in this process.
The Senate's move to conclude the constitutional amendment process has been welcomed by stakeholders, who believe it will help address Nigeria's security challenges. The creation of state police forces is expected to improve security in the country and provide a more effective response to security threats. The National Assembly's efforts to pass the bill are seen as a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Key points
- The Nigerian Senate has set a deadline of November 15 for state legislatures to approve a bill that would allow for the creation of state police forces.
- 30 state legislatures have already approved the bill, surpassing the constitutional requirement of at least 24 states.
- The bill aims to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of state police forces, a longstanding demand by governors and other stakeholders seeking greater decentralization of policing responsibilities.
