Tinubu’s State Police Bill Raises Fresh Questions Over Ongoing Constitutional Review Process
By Fact Harbour News
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed bill seeking the establishment of state police has triggered renewed debate among constitutional lawyers, lawmakers, security experts, and political stakeholders, with many questioning how the initiative fits into the ongoing constitutional amendment process being undertaken by the National Assembly.
The proposal has reignited discussions on one of Nigeria’s most contentious constitutional issues—whether policing should remain the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government or be decentralised to allow states to establish and manage their own police services.
Supporters of the proposal argue that the country’s growing security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, communal clashes, and other violent crimes, have demonstrated the need for a more decentralised policing structure. They believe that state police would enhance intelligence gathering, improve response time to security threats, and strengthen community policing through greater familiarity with local environments and cultures.
However, legal experts have pointed out that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) currently places policing under the Exclusive Legislative List, making the Nigeria Police Force the only constitutionally recognised police organisation. They argue that any attempt to establish state police must be accompanied by the appropriate constitutional amendments before such a system can be lawfully implemented.
The emergence of the proposed legislation has therefore raised questions about whether it is intended to complement the ongoing constitutional review process or whether it represents a separate legislative initiative designed to accelerate reforms in Nigeria’s security architecture.
The National Assembly has been considering several constitutional amendment proposals covering issues such as devolution of powers, local government autonomy, judicial reforms, electoral reforms, and fiscal federalism. Analysts say the state police proposal is expected to become one of the most closely watched aspects of the wider constitutional review exercise because of its potential impact on Nigeria’s federal structure.
While many governors have consistently advocated the creation of state police as a solution to rising insecurity, critics have warned that decentralising policing powers could expose law enforcement agencies to political interference and abuse if adequate constitutional safeguards are not put in place. They have called for strong oversight mechanisms, independent police service commissions, transparent recruitment processes, and clearly defined operational guidelines to ensure accountability.
Security experts also stress that funding remains a major consideration. They argue that establishing state police commands across the federation would require significant financial resources, modern equipment, continuous training, and effective coordination with existing federal security agencies. Without sustainable funding and proper regulation, they warn, the new system could face operational difficulties.
Advocates, however, insist that a carefully designed state policing framework would complement rather than replace the Nigeria Police Force. They believe both federal and state police organisations could work together under clearly defined constitutional and legal frameworks to improve internal security and public safety.
The renewed debate has also generated widespread public interest, with civil society organisations, legal practitioners, traditional rulers, and policy experts calling for broad national consultations before any final decision is reached. Many stakeholders have urged lawmakers to ensure that any reform reflects the principles of federalism, accountability, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.
As deliberations continue, the proposed state police bill is expected to receive detailed scrutiny from both chambers of the National Assembly alongside the ongoing constitutional review process. The outcome of these deliberations could significantly reshape Nigeria’s security architecture and influence the future relationship between the Federal Government and the states in the area of law enforcement.
Fact Harbour News will continue to monitor legislative proceedings and provide verified updates as the proposed bill and the constitutional amendment process progress through the National Assembly.