By James Adamu
The House of Representatives will vote on a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police on Thursday, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has confirmed.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, urged all lawmakers to attend Thursday’s plenary to participate in the crucial vote.
The bill, which proposes to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow states to establish their own police forces, has been a subject of intense debate across the country.
Proponents argue that state police would address the limitations of the federal police structure in tackling localised security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder crises that have plagued several states.
Opponents, however, have raised concerns about potential abuse by state governors, political victimisation, and the financial capacity of states to maintain professional police services.
The push for state police has gained renewed momentum in recent months following the worsening security situation in many parts of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, where bandits have repeatedly kidnapped residents.
Kalu did not disclose how the vote would be conducted or the specific threshold required for the amendment to pass. Constitutional amendments typically require the support of two-thirds of members, as well as subsequent approval by at least 24 state houses of assembly.
More to follow…
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