House passes State Police Bill amid Senate advance, funding worries rise
The House of Representatives passed the Constitution Alteration Bill for the establishment of State Police Services on Thursday, July 23, 2026, with 311 members voting in favour. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu moved the bill for consideration, urging adoption of the Committee on Constitution Review's report. This follows the Senate's approval of its own state police constitutional amendment on June 24, 2026, after securing the required two-thirds majority, and President Bola Tinubu's transmission of the Executive version to the House earlier this month. Proponents argue that decentralising policing will improve public safety by allowing states to address localized security challenges more effectively. However, critics warn that many states lack the financial and institutional capacity to sustain independent police forces. Former Commissioner of Police Balarabe Sule cautioned that funding could become a major obstacle, potentially undermining the initiative's goals. The passage of the bill sets the stage for a harmonised version to be sent to the President for assent, after which states would need to draft enabling legislation and allocate budgets. Will your state be able to fund a state police force, or should you advocate for alternative security solutions that fit local budgets?