Speakers back state police bill, promise thorough review

The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria has welcomed the Senate’s passage of the State Police Bill for second reading.

They described it as a major step towards strengthening security and deepening federalism in the country.

The Chairman of the Conference and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

Guwor said the conference had consistently supported the establishment of state police, noting that community-based policing would improve security response and address local challenges more effectively.

“This development marks a significant milestone in the national conversation on policing, security, and true federalism in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the 36 state legislatures believe that policing structures rooted in local communities would enhance public safety and improve intelligence gathering.

“As Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, we had earlier indicated our support for the proposed legislation because we believe that community-based policing, properly structured under law, will enhance safety and response time across our states. Security is local, and our people deserve policing architecture that understands their terrain and challenges,” he stated.

The conference assured Nigerians that state assemblies would give the proposed constitutional amendment careful consideration when it reaches them for approval.

“With the Bill now proceeding to the next legislative stage, the Conference assures Nigerians that State Assemblies will give it diligent consideration in line with Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution. We will engage stakeholders, conduct public hearings where necessary, and deliberate dispassionately in the interest of national unity and the security of lives and property,” Guwor said.

The conference commended the Senate for advancing the bill and urged stakeholders to continue discussions on the proposal with patriotism and objectivity.

“The Conference commends the Senate for this bold step and urges all stakeholders to sustain the conversation with facts, patriotism, and a shared commitment to a safer Nigeria,” the statement added.

The speakers also pledged to work with the National Assembly, the executive arm of government and other stakeholders to ensure the successful amendment of relevant constitutional provisions.

Recall that on Wednesday, the Senate passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police across the federation.

This followed a rigorous clause-by-clause consideration of the bill and came after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support through a manual voting process conducted on the floor of the chamber.