Reps Withdraw State Police Bill, Consider Tinubu’s Executive Proposal

Reps Withdraw State Police Bill, Consider Tinubu’s Executive Proposal

The House of Representatives has rescinded its earlier Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police Services across the federation following the submission of a fresh Executive Bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the National Assembly.

The decision, announced on Tuesday, is aimed at ensuring a unified legislative process for the proposed constitutional amendment on state policing and avoiding parallel efforts on the same subject.

The House had initially passed its version of the State Police Constitution Alteration Bill on June 11, 2026, and later constituted a 12-member Conference Committee on July 9 to reconcile differences between the versions approved by the House and the Senate.

However, lawmakers resolved to withdraw the earlier bill after the President transmitted an Executive Bill proposing a constitutional framework for the establishment of State Police Services.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to Rescind the Resolution on a Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police Services and for Related Matters and the Composition of the Conference Committee Pursuant to Order Nine, Rule 6 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.”

The motion was sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Rep. Francis Waive (APC, Delta).

By adopting the motion, the House rescinded its earlier resolution and dissolved the Conference Committee, clearing the way for lawmakers to consider the Executive Bill as the primary legislative vehicle for the constitutional amendment.

The Executive Bill, titled Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2026 (HB. 2797), was read for the first time and subsequently passed second reading after a debate led by the House Leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo).

The bill has now been referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative consideration.

The House stressed that rescinding its earlier bill does not amount to a withdrawal of support for the creation of state police.

Rather, lawmakers said the decision reflects a commitment to working collaboratively with the Executive to develop a comprehensive constitutional framework that effectively addresses Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

According to the House, the move will ensure that the eventual legislation establishing State Police Services is coherent, effective and aligned with the country’s broader national security architecture.

The House also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing constitutional reforms through a transparent and rigorous legislative process aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and improving governance and national security