Senate has defended its approval of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, insisting that 84 out of 109 senators voted in favour during clause-by-clause consideration.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the proposal resulted from extensive consultations, public hearings across geopolitical zones and stakeholder engagements with the executive, governors and police leadership.
“The state police bill was subjected to intense debates… 84 out of 109 members voted clause by clause in support of the Bill. This accounted for 77.06 per cent approval at the Senate alone,” he stated.
Bamidele dismissed suggestions of partisan motives, noting broad participation by opposition lawmakers in the national interest.
The amendment aims to address overstretched federal policing amid rising insecurity, clearly delineating roles between federal and state forces while including safeguards against abuse.
Under the proposal, state police would handle local law enforcement, with federal intervention possible only in cases of public order breakdown or threats to national security.
A State Police Service Commission would operate independently of governors.
