The House of Representatives has withdrawn its earlier proposed State Police Constitution Alteration Bill, seeking to establish state police, dissolving its conference committee to consider a new executive bill submitted by President Bola Tinubu on the same subject.
The development emerged during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers gave the executive-sponsored state police bill its first and second readings.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Rep. Francis Waive.
Lawmakers said, “The move would prevent parallel constitutional amendment processes and allow for a more coordinated approach to establishing state police services.”
The House had passed its version of the bill in June and later set up a conference committee to reconcile differences with the Senate’s version.
However, lawmakers said, “The president’s executive bill introduced fresh considerations on the structure, framework, and implementation of state policing that require a unified legislative process.”
Following its presentation, the Executive Bill—Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2026 (HB. 2797)—scaled first and second readings after debate led by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere and was referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review.
The House stressed that the decision does not signal opposition to the state police.
Rather, lawmakers said it reflects their commitment to working with the executive to develop “a comprehensive, effective, and responsive” constitutional framework for state policing in line with Nigeria’s evolving security needs.
The House also reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and improving governance and security across the country.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
