Arise TV reported Thursday that Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu said the National Assembly had directed its clerk to transmit a constitutional amendment allowing state police alongside the federal force. The clerk was instructed to send the measure to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill said Oct. 23 that the amendment had met the required threshold of approval from 24 state assemblies. EconoTimes earlier reported 28 state assembly approvals.
The State House said the constitutional change would establish a basis for policing by both state and federal governments. It is separate from the executive’s draft National Policing Bill, which is intended to provide the legislative framework for that system.
The Presidential Working Group said it submitted the draft bill and 29 consequential amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice on Oct. 19 for legislative drafting review. In a statement published Oct. 20, the group said it expected the package back by Oct. 30 for final consideration before presentation to Tinubu.
BusinessDay said it was unclear whether state policing could be implemented before the 2027 election. Kalu’s announcement called for the clerk to transmit the constitutional amendment to Tinubu for assent.
