Tinubu Proposes State Police Constitutional Amendment
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially presented a constitutional amendment bill to the House of Representatives, advocating for the establishment of a state police force. This initiative marks a significant move in his administration’s efforts to decentralize Nigeria’s police system and enhance the nation’s security framework.
Details of the Bill
The bill, titled the Constitution (Changes) (State Police) Bill, 2026, was introduced in a letter dated June 15, 2026, addressed to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. In his correspondence, the President urged lawmakers to prioritize the bill, emphasizing its crucial role in reforming Nigeria’s security system to better address the country’s evolving challenges.
Creating a Dual Police Structure
President Tinubu explained that the proposed amendment seeks to establish a legal framework for a dual police structure, enabling both federal and state police to operate concurrently. This move aims to create a “constitutional pathway for the formation of a state police service,” which he believes is essential in responding to Nigeria’s dynamic security landscape.
Building on Prior Efforts
In his letter, Tinubu noted that the bill builds on previous initiatives undertaken by the House of Representatives. He stated that it incorporates additional safeguards to ensure the establishment of the dual police system effectively meets the nation’s security needs. He expressed confidence in the House’s ability to swiftly advance the proposal for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Addressing Long-Standing Security Concerns
The introduction of this bill represents a significant endorsement of executive authority concerning state policing, a topic that has dominated constitutional reform discussions for over two decades. Currently, Nigeria’s centralized police framework is managed solely by the federal government, limiting local responses to persistent security threats such as terrorism, kidnapping, gang violence, and rural attacks.
Support and Opposition Perspectives
Advocates for state police, including governors, security experts, and constitutional scholars, argue that a decentralized approach is necessary for effective intelligence gathering, improved local policing, and quicker responses to security incidents. This debate has gained traction with the formation of regional security outfits such as Amotekun in the southwest and Ebube Ag in the southeast, created to support federal security efforts.
Conversely, critics caution that decentralization could lead to political manipulation of security agencies by state governments, especially during elections or politically sensitive periods. They stress the importance of implementing robust constitutional safeguards to prevent potential abuses and protect citizens’ rights.
Legislative Outlook and Implications
The President’s proposal is part of broader constitutional reform efforts by the 10th National Assembly. The House’s Constitutional Review Committee, led by Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has already analyzed several state policing proposals, many garnering significant public backing during regional hearings.
If successful, the bill will amend the 1999 Constitution to officially create a state police force alongside the Nigeria Police Force, instituting a constitutionally sanctioned dual police system with clearly outlined powers and oversight mechanisms. This amendment will require support from two-thirds of both chambers of Congress and ratification by at least 24 of the 36 state legislatures.
As the proposal progresses, it is expected to ignite extensive legislative discussions on crucial aspects such as funding, administration, jurisdiction, accountability, interagency cooperation, and measures to prevent political interference. The final approval of this bill could represent one of the most transformative constitutional reforms since Nigeria’s reestablishment of democratic governance in 1999, fundamentally restructuring the nation’s internal security framework.
