Police bill: Senate sets Nov 15 deadline for 6 states

The six state assemblies are Kano, Benue, Niger, Abia, Oyo, and Cross River. The Senate gave them until November 15 to submit their positions on the proposed constitutional amendment creating state police. It warned that failing to respond could be treated as withholding consent.

Kano illustrates the situation: Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau said its assembly had passed the bill, but was still sending its resolution to National Assembly leaders. This matters because Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution requires approval from at least 24 of 36 state assemblies before an amendment can move to the executive branch.

The amendment has already cleared that threshold, with 30 assemblies reportedly voting in favour. The Senate plans to collect the remaining responses by the deadline, then transmit the approved measure to President Tinubu for final assent. The deadline therefore focuses on completing the record, while the required state support is already secured.

Thirty of Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies have approved the proposed constitutional amendment establishing state police. The law requires support from at least two-thirds of the assemblies before the amendment can move to the executive branch.

That threshold equals 24 states, based on Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. For example, Kano was initially listed among six states without a submitted position, but Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau said its assembly had passed the bill and was transmitting its resolution.

The other five named states are Benue, Niger, Abia, Oyo, and Cross Rivers. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele set November 15 for responses, warning that silence could be treated as withholding consent. With 30 approvals, the amendment has already cleared the legal threshold. The National Assembly plans to compile responses and send the amendment to President Tinubu for assent.

Section 9 requires approval from at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies before an amendment reaches the executive branch. That threshold is 24 states, ensuring broad support beyond the National Assembly. It is the required constitutional checkpoint before the president can consider final assent.

In this case, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reported that 30 state assemblies had voted for state police. Those approvals must be formally communicated and compiled by the National Assembly. After that process, the approved amendment can be transmitted to President Tinubu for assent.

Six assemblies had not submitted positions: Kano, Benue, Niger, Abia, Oyo, and Cross Rivers. The Senate set November 15 as the response deadline, warning silence could count as withholding consent. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said Kano had passed the bill and was transmitting its resolution.

By November 15, the six outstanding assemblies must submit their positions on the state-police amendment. If they respond, lawmakers will record their decisions; if they do not, silence could be treated as withholding consent.

The amendment already has enough support to proceed. Section 9 requires approval from 24 of 36 state assemblies, but Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele says 30 have approved it.

For example, Kano’s assembly has passed the bill, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau said. Its resolution is being transmitted, showing how a delayed formal submission can still be resolved. After the deadline, lawmakers plan to compile all responses and send the approved amendment to President Tinubu for assent. The remaining states are Benue, Niger, Abia, Oyo, and Cross Rivers, while Kano’s transmission is pending. Even without further approvals, the reported 30-state backing exceeds the constitutional threshold.

State police requires constitutional change because Section 214 of Nigeria’s Constitution establishes the Nigeria Police Force as the country’s police force. An ordinary law cannot override that constitutional rule; lawmakers must first change the higher legal framework.

That is why the proposal follows Section 9’s amendment process. At least 24 of 36 state assemblies must approve it before the bill can move to the executive branch. This requirement gives states a formal role in changing policing powers and responsibilities.

The proposal has already won approval from 30 state assemblies, including Lagos, Rivers, and Kaduna. Six assemblies—Kano, Benue, Niger, Abia, Oyo, and Cross Rivers—received a November 15 deadline. Barau Jibrin said Kano had passed the bill and was transmitting its resolution. The National Assembly plans to send the amendment to President Tinubu for assent.

In a federal system, policing is shared. The national government usually handles nationwide threats, borders, and common standards. State governments manage local safety, allowing responses to fit community needs.

Nigeria’s proposed state police amendment offers a concrete example. It would let states establish their own police forces, while federal authorities retain national responsibilities. Section 9 requires approval from at least 24 of 36 state assemblies before the amendment proceeds.

The proposal has secured approval from 30 state assemblies, exceeding that threshold. Six assemblies still faced a November 15 deadline, although Kano had reportedly passed the bill. After responses are compiled, the National Assembly plans to send the amendment to President Tinubu for assent. Until then, the proposed division remains unfinished.