Pic: House of Reps
The House of Representatives will today consider and vote on a package of Constitution Alteration Bills, including a landmark proposal seeking to establish a constitutional framework for state police across Nigeria.
The final draft of the amendment bills was released ahead of plenary, marking a major step in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
House spokesman, Akintunde Rotimi, said the bills are the outcome of months of legislative work by the House Committee on Constitution Review, following submissions from lawmakers, government agencies, professional groups, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and citizens.
State Police Takes Centre Stage
Among the proposed amendments, the state police bill has attracted the widest public attention and debate.
The proposal seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture by creating an additional policing structure at the state level while providing constitutional safeguards, operational guidelines, oversight mechanisms and clear delineation of powers between federal and state police authorities.
According to the House, the measure reflects growing national support for more decentralised and locally responsive security solutions to address contemporary challenges.
Broad Constitutional Reforms
The amendment bills cover several key areas, including:
Electoral reforms
Judicial reforms
Security and policing
Local government administration
Inclusive governance and citizenship
Legislative matters
Devolution of powers
Human rights
Fiscal reforms
Strengthening institutions
Traditional institutions
Creation of states and local governments
The review process involved public hearings, stakeholder consultations, expert sessions and town hall meetings across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Kalu: Reforms Reflect Nigerians’ Aspirations
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, described the release of the final draft as a defining moment in efforts to build a more responsive constitutional framework.
He said the proposals embody the aspirations and recommendations expressed by Nigerians from diverse backgrounds, noting that the state police initiative responds to longstanding calls for a more effective and decentralised policing system.
Voting Depends on Quorum
The House is expected to vote on the amendment bills during today’s plenary session, provided the constitutionally required quorum is met.
If the quorum is not attained, consideration and voting will be postponed to the next legislative day in line with constitutional provisions and House rules.
Tags: State Police, Constitution Amendment, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, Akintunde Rotimi, Security Reform, National Assembly, Nigeria Politics
