National Assembly to transmit State Police Bill to Tinubu this week - Bamidele

The National Assembly plans to forward the State Police (Constitution Alteration) Bill to President Bola Tinubu for approval this week, according to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. This announcement was made in a statement released by Bamidele's Media Directorate on Sunday. Despite four state houses of assembly yet to submit their reports on the proposed constitutional amendment, the National Assembly is confident the remaining states will communicate their decisions by November 17, 2026, when lawmakers reconvene.

Bamidele emphasized that the lack of these reports will not impede the progress of the bill. At least 32 state houses of assembly have already approved the proposal, surpassing the constitutional threshold of 24 states needed. This development marks a significant step in establishing state police after more than a decade of failed efforts to reform Nigeria's policing system.

The National Assembly is obligated to transmit the bill to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for assent, as part of their responsibility to their constituents and the nation's peace, progress, and stability. The proposed amendment aims to create a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, establishing a constitutional framework for decentralized policing across the country.

Bamidele clarified that the intent is not to form ethnic or state armies, but to implement state-led, community-based policing with clear constitutional protections.