State Police Bill Suffers Setback as Only Four States Approve

The bid to amend the 1999 Constitution to create state police is stalling at the state Houses of Assembly, with only four states — Edo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers — approving the bill so far.

The National Assembly had on September 16 transmitted the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the 36 state assemblies, asking for their resolutions within 30 days.

Under Section 9, at least 24 state Houses of Assembly must concur for an amendment to scale through.

With 18 days gone, 20 more states are still required within 12 days to hit the two-thirds threshold, though the 30-day timeline is administrative and not constitutional.

Checks across the country show many assemblies have yet to start deliberations, while others claim they have not received the bill.

In the South-West, Osun and Oyo have passed the bill.

Ondo has distributed the draft to its 26 members for study after a first reading on the floor, spokesman Olatunji Oshati said.

Ekiti confirmed receipt via a September 16 letter but had yet, as of press time, to deliberate pending listing by its Rules and Business Committee, media aide Jide Agbeyo said.

Osun passed it clause-by-clause on September 22, signed by Speaker Adewale Egbedun.

Oyo passed it at third reading after a Committee of the Whole chaired by Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin.

Ogun has set up a committee including Olakunle Oluomo, Bolanle Ajayi and Yusuf Sherif Abiodun to review it.

Lagos had endorsed state police in principle on July 8 and 9 under Speaker Mudashiru Obasa but has yet to show a formal vote on the transmitted package.

In the South-South, Rivers and Edo have given concurrence.

Rivers Speaker Martin Amaewhule presided over unanimous approval of the 26-clause bill.

Edo Majority Leader Osezua Ojiezele led the debate, with lawmakers like Donald Okogbe and Charity Aiguobarueghian supporting it.

Cross River has commenced first reading.

Delta says it is consulting stakeholders, while Bayelsa, which last sat August 18, had not debated it as of September 25.

In the North, Taraba, Kano, Kwara, Kebbi and Gombe say they have yet to receive the bill.

Kogi, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Zamfara and Sokoto have received but not debated.

Bauchi has set up a committee headed by Deputy Speaker Jamilu Dahiru to sumbit it report within two weeks.

Plateau is the only northern state where first reading has commenced.

In the South-East, none of the five states has debated the bill.

Abia will decide when it resumes October 6, Acting Clerk Promise Onwukwe said.

Ebonyi Speaker Moses Odunwa confirmed receipt and promised accelerated hearing.

[Story Culled from a Sunday Vanguard Special Report]