Rivers Assembly Backs State Police Bill Amid National Push

​ — The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially endorsed the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, joining a growing number of subnational legislatures moving to establish state police services across Nigeria.

​During Monday’s plenary session, all 25 members voted unanimously in favor of the bill following extensive consultations with their respective constituencies. Speaker Martins Amaewhule praised the lawmakers for gauging public sentiment, noting that the move aligns with long-standing demands from Nigerians for a decentralized policing structure to support the federal security apparatus.

​According to Amaewhule, the proposed constitutional amendment features 26 clauses and 25 alterations designed to create a clear legal framework for state-level law enforcement while preserving the National Assembly’s authority to set national minimum policing standards. Key sections slated for modification include provisions impacting financial autonomy and administrative structures, such as Sections 84(4), 121(3), and 153(1).

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​The endorsement comes shortly after the Osun State House of Assembly became the first state legislature to approve the proposed constitutional amendment. The National Assembly recently clarified that while individual State Police Services Bills are making their way through state assemblies, the broader legislative push aims to overhaul subnational security architecture nationwide.

​Political analysts view the rapid backing by state legislatures as a critical milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional review, signaling strong subnational appetite for devolved security powers to tackle localized crime more efficiently.