ABUJA — The Nigerian House of Representatives is poised to conduct a definitive vote this Thursday, June 11, 2026, on a landmark constitutional amendment bill aimed at establishing state and local police structures.This legislative push is a central component of the government's strategy to overhaul the nation's security architecture in response to persistent challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.

Legislative Priority

Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, confirmed the schedule following Wednesday's plenary session. Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Kalu stated that the chamber has prioritized the state police proposal over all other constitutional amendment bills currently under consideration.

The bill, jointly sponsored by the Deputy Speaker and 14 other lawmakers, seeks to decentralize the current, centralized policing system. Proponents argue that the existing structure, governed by Section 214 and related constitutional provisions, has proven insufficient to address the complexities of modern security threats across Nigeria’s diverse and vast terrain.

Broad Support and Consensus

According to Deputy Speaker Kalu, the initiative has secured significant backing across all levels of government:

  • Executive and Security Leadership: The proposal reportedly has the support of the executive arm of government, as well as the Inspector-General of Police and his management team.

  • State Governance: There is an emerging national consensus, with all 36 state governors expressing support for decentralizing policing to improve local response times and intelligence gathering.

  • Parliamentary Unity: Dismissing reports of resistance or attempts to frustrate the process, Kalu reiterated that the House remains united, viewing the bill as a critical "emergency" measure to restore public safety.

Next Steps for Ratification

The House has issued an urgent call for all members including those currently engaged in oversight duties across the federation to return to Abuja for Thursday's plenary to ensure full participation.

Once passed by the National Assembly, the amendment is expected to be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for ratification. Given the stated support of the governors, the legislative leadership remains optimistic that the constitutional amendment will proceed swiftly toward Presidential assent, marking a transformative shift in Nigeria's law enforcement framework.