State Police Gains Momentum as Tinubu Transmits Bill to Senate
Pecohub President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally transmitted a constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police to the Senate, signaling a significant development in Nigeria’s long-running debate on security sector reforms.
The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who disclosed that the upper chamber is expected to begin consideration of the proposed legislation immediately.
According to Akpabio, state governments have also indicated their readiness to review the proposal once it is transmitted to the various State Houses of Assembly, a key requirement in the constitutional amendment process.
The state police proposal has remained one of the most debated governance and security reforms in Nigeria. Supporters argue that decentralising policing would improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community-based security, and enable faster responses to local threats such as banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts.
However, critics have expressed concerns about possible political abuse by state governments, funding challenges, and the need for strong oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse of police powers.
If approved by the National Assembly and subsequently ratified by at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s State Houses of Assembly, the amendment could fundamentally reshape the country’s policing structure and security architecture.
