President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called on lawmakers to ensure full attendance at Wednesday’s plenary session as the National Assembly prepares to consider the proposed constitutional amendment seeking the establishment of State Police services across Nigeria.
The appeal comes amid growing momentum for the decentralisation of policing, a reform widely supported by security experts, state governors and community stakeholders as part of efforts to address persistent insecurity across the country.
Speaking during an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, Akpabio described the proposed State Police Bill as a historic and transformative legislation capable of reshaping Nigeria’s security framework.
He emphasised that constitutional amendments require broad participation and urged senators to regard the exercise as a critical national responsibility.
“Since 1960, Nigeria has not had the courage to decentralise policing, and this is the first time.
“As we struggle to become senators, let us also remember the responsibilities of being a senator. It is not enough for us to look for tickets. And when we get them, we don’t come to the chambers,” Akpabio said.
According to the Senate President, the proposed amendment would establish the legal foundation for state-controlled policing while incorporating safeguards to prevent abuse of the system.
He explained that the reform is expected to strengthen community-based security structures by creating greater involvement for local governments, traditional institutions, youth groups and other grassroots stakeholders in maintaining security.
Akpabio argued that local communities often possess better knowledge of their environments and are therefore more capable of identifying suspicious activities and criminal elements, which could improve intelligence gathering and rapid response mechanisms.
COMMITTEE TASKED TO SUBMIT REPORT
To accelerate legislative consideration of the proposal, Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Constitution Review to submit its report by Wednesday to enable immediate debate and action on the bill.
SENATE LEADER CALLS FOR MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION
Also speaking during the plenary, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stressed the importance of lawmakers’ presence, noting that constitutional amendments require support from at least two-thirds of members of the Senate.
“We need a minimum of two-thirds of distinguished senators to be able to vote on constitutional alteration. That means it is important for all of us to be here,” Bamidele said.
He described the State Police proposal as a national matter that goes beyond political affiliations, regional interests and geopolitical considerations.
Bamidele also encouraged senators to mobilise absent colleagues to participate in the legislative exercise.
The Senate later adjourned plenary until Wednesday, when lawmakers are expected to debate and vote on the constitutional amendment bill.
The move towards State Police has gained increased attention following President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement of the proposal and the ongoing constitutional review process by the National Assembly.
For the amendment to become law, it must secure the approval of at least two-thirds of members of both chambers of the National Assembly and receive endorsement from no fewer than 24 State Houses of Assembly before being transmitted to the President for assent.
