Nigeria's House Rescinds Earlier State Police Bill to Consider President Tinubu's Executive Proposal

The House of Representatives voted unanimously to rescind its earlier constitutional amendment bill that would have created State Police Services, clearing the way for a fresh Executive Bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu. The motion, moved by Committee Chairman Francis Waive, cited “new facts” that required a review of the bill’s provisions. The House also dissolved the 12‑member conference committee previously set up to reconcile differences with the Senate.

President Tinubu’s Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to place policing on the concurrent legislative list, allowing both the federal government and state legislatures to establish police forces that meet national minimum standards. He described the legislation as “a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture.” The bill passed its first and second readings in the House and was referred to the Committee on Constitution Review for further scrutiny. The Senate had already passed a similar amendment, meeting the two‑thirds majority required for constitutional change. If approved by both chambers and ratified by at least 24 of the 36 state assemblies, the amendment would create a dual policing system intended to improve response to banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other violent crimes across Nigeria.