Tinubu's State Police Proposal Takes Precedence as House Withdraws Own Bill
The House of Representatives has withdrawn its proposed state police legislation and moved to consider President Bola Tinubu’s constitutional amendment bill instead, following the president’s formal transmission to lawmakers.
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The House of Representatives has withdrawn its proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police, opting instead to advance President Bola Tinubu’s own bill on the matter. The legislative shift occurred during Tuesday’s plenary session, where lawmakers granted the Executive-sponsored bill its first and second readings before referring it to the House Committee on Constitutional Affairs for further deliberation.
The move follows President Tinubu’s formal letter to the House, urging swift consideration of his administration’s proposal. In the communication, he emphasized the necessity of constitutional reforms to strengthen public safety and bolster Nigeria’s security architecture. “He urged the House to expedite deliberations on the bill, stressing the importance of the proposed reforms in enhancing public safety and improving the country’s overall security framework,” according to Channels Television.
The original legislative effort, initiated by members of the House, sought to amend the constitution to allow for the establishment of police forces at the state level. However, with the Executive’s alternative bill now under consideration, the chamber has effectively ceded initiative to the presidency. The Whistler reported that the House’s decision to withdraw its version and adopt Tinubu’s proposal reflects ongoing coordination between the legislative and executive branches on national security reforms.
The bill’s referral to committee marks the next phase in what could be a significant shift in Nigeria’s policing structure. Advocates argue state police could improve local security responsiveness, while critics caution against potential risks of politicization. The debate now centers on the content and implications of Tinubu’s specific proposal, which remains under review ahead of public hearings and technical scrutiny.