Nigeria moved closer to restructuring its policing system on Wednesday after the Senate approved a constitutional amendment bill that would pave the way for the creation of state police services across the country.
The landmark legislation, regarded as one of the most significant security reforms since the return to democratic governance, secured the backing of more than two-thirds of senators following an extensive clause-by-clause review and a manual voting exercise conducted during plenary.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio formally announced the passage of the bill after lawmakers overwhelmingly endorsed the proposal, which was considered through the report submitted by the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
Before the final vote, senators sitting as the Committee of the Whole scrutinised the provisions of the amendment and adopted them for approval. Leading debate on the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele urged his colleagues to support the measure, describing it as a necessary response to the country’s evolving security challenges.
At the heart of the legislation is the creation of a dual policing structure under which state police organisations would operate alongside the existing federal police system, ending the long-standing monopoly of policing powers at the federal level.
One of the major features of the amendment grants state governors authority over the appointment of the heads of their respective police formations.
A key provision of the bill “empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the state Houses of Assembly.”
The constitutional amendment further provides that: “while the Federal Police Service will continue to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police, each State Police Service shall be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature of the state.”
The legislation also defines how governors may interact with state police commands once established.
According to the proposed amendment, Section 17(6) provides that “a governor may issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to the Commissioner of Police on matters relating to the maintenance of public safety and public order within the state.”
Mindful of concerns raised over the years about possible political misuse of state-controlled police structures, lawmakers incorporated safeguards aimed at protecting democratic freedoms and preventing abuse of power.
One such safeguard is contained in Section 17(7), which specifically states that “a state Commissioner of Police shall not arrest, detain, investigate or deploy force against any person, political party or group merely for criticising the government except in accordance with the law.”
The provision is designed to ensure that state police agencies are not used as instruments of political persecution against opposition figures, journalists, activists or other citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
The Senate’s approval came shortly after lawmakers abandoned an earlier plan to use an electronic voting system for the constitutional amendment exercise. Concerns over technical difficulties affecting some voting devices prompted senators to switch to a manual process.
The change was initiated through a motion moved by Senate Leader Bamidele, who argued that every senator should have the opportunity to participate fully in what many described as a historic legislative exercise.
Akpabio supported the proposal, maintaining that an open voting format would enhance transparency and allow citizens to know how their representatives voted on issues of national importance.
Several top government officials observed proceedings from the Senate chamber, including Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Following the adoption of the manual voting procedure, senators were called individually to publicly declare their positions on the constitutional amendment proposals before the final approval was secured.
The passage of the State Police Bill marks a major milestone in a debate that has spanned decades. Supporters have long argued that Nigeria’s centrally controlled police system is overstretched and incapable of adequately responding to the growing threats posed by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other security challenges.
Opponents, however, have consistently expressed fears that state governors could exploit state police formations to harass political rivals and suppress dissent.
Despite those concerns, Wednesday’s vote represents the most significant progress yet toward decentralised policing in Nigeria. The proposal must still receive the required endorsement of state Houses of Assembly and complete other constitutional procedures before becoming law.
If eventually enacted, the reform is expected to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s security architecture by introducing state-controlled police services operating alongside the federal police structure.
(Ripples)