File Photo: Nigerian Senate
The Senate on Sunday said the proposed State Police Bill contains constitutional safeguards that would allow the federal police to intervene in cases of electoral intimidation, serious human rights violations and threats to national security, dismissing concerns that governors could abuse the proposed policing system for political purposes.
The upper chamber also defended the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, revealing that 84 of the 109 senators voted in support of the legislation during its clause-by-clause consideration, describing the outcome as evidence of broad bipartisan backing.
The clarification comes amid growing debate over the proposed decentralisation of policing, with supporters arguing that state police would strengthen security at the grassroots, while critics fear governors could exploit the outfit to intimidate political opponents ahead of elections.
Defending the Senate’s position in a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the proposed amendment clearly delineates the constitutional responsibilities of the federal and state police to minimise operational conflicts and improve security coordination.
