One Step Closer to State Police: Constitution Bill Now Before 36 State Assemblies

Nigeria’s long-running debate over constitutional reform has entered another decisive stage after the National Assembly transmitted the 2026 Sixth Alteration Bill to all 36 State Houses of Assembly.

The transmission, made on September 16 by National Assembly Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana, allows the state legislatures to consider and communicate their positions on the proposed alterations.

The move is required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that constitutional alterations require approval by at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly before the process can proceed.

That means at least 24 of the 36 state assemblies must approve the relevant alteration.

State Police Takes Centre Stage

One of the most closely watched proposals is the establishment of state police. The proposal has already passed both chambers of the National Assembly, making it the only constitutional alteration proposal in the current review process to have cleared that stage so far.

The proposal would change the current constitutional structure in which the Nigeria Police Force is the country’s constitutional police force.

Supporters have argued that decentralised policing could improve local intelligence and response to security threats. The proposal also raises questions about funding, command, recruitment, oversight, political interference and protection of citizens’ rights.

Those questions will now become especially relevant at state level.

More Than State Police

The Sixth Alteration process covers a broader constitutional reform agenda. The areas identified in the review include electoral reforms, judicial reforms, security and policing, local government administration, inclusive governance and citizenship, legislature, devolution of powers, human rights, fiscal reforms, strengthening of institutions, traditional institutions, and creation of states and local governments.

However, the exact proposals that will finally become constitutional provisions will depend on the legislative process and the approvals secured.

The transmission should therefore not be confused with final constitutional amendment. The state assemblies have only received the proposals.They have not yet approved them.

The 30-Day Question

The National Assembly has asked the state assemblies to consider the bill and communicate their decisions within 30 days.

That period is an administrative timeframe, not a constitutional deadline.

The constitutional requirement remains the two-thirds approval threshold.

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ValidViewNetwork reports that the most important stage may now be the one happening outside Abuja. State legislators will have to decide whether to approve, reject or otherwise act on the proposals before them, while citizens and civil society groups have an opportunity to examine exactly what is being proposed.

For state police in particular, the debate should go beyond the attractive slogan of bringing policing closer to the people.

The details matter: who controls the police, who funds them, who appoints senior officers, how complaints are handled, what happens when a governor abuses the force, and how federal and state police will operate alongside each other.

A constitutional amendment can change the legal architecture of a country. That is why the process deserves more than political speed.It deserves public scrutiny. ValidViewNetwork reports.