The Lagos State House of Assembly has unanimously supported the proposed establishment of state police, following its consideration of the Constitution Amendment Bill transmitted by the National Assembly.
The Speaker, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, disclosed this on Tuesday during plenary, which lawmakers reconvened for after cutting their recess short to consider the proposed amendment.
Obasa said establishment of state police had remained a recurring issue from the fifth to the 10th Assembly, with successive legislatures discussing ways to strengthen security and protect lives and property.
He described the development as a step forward, but expressed concern that some issues raised by state legislatures had not been adequately addressed.
“I am pleased that the issue of state police has received attention, but there are concerns that must be addressed to ensure that the arrangement works effectively,” Obasa said.
The bill, titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeks to provide for establishment of State Police Service and related matters.
The Speaker said further developments in the amendment process should give states greater control over policing arrangements, but stressed need to clearly define relationship between federal and state police, particularly regarding powers, control and responsibilities.
“The functions and responsibilities of state police should be clearly defined, with appropriate provisions made for state legislatures,” he said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for commitment to democracy and democratic institutions, as well as the Senate and House of Representatives for advancing the proposal.
Obasa further called for a clear constitutional provision for parliamentary police to protect legislative institutions and preserve their independence.
He cited past incidents in which state legislative buildings were allegedly demolished or locked up at the instance of governors, describing such developments as threats to legislative autonomy.
“There should also be provisions for parliamentary police, as we have in the United States Congress and at Westminster in the United Kingdom, to protect democracy and safeguard state legislatures.
“We must learn from past incidents in which a governor could order demolition of a legislative building or have a state legislature locked up simply to serve personal interests.
“To prevent such incidents from happening again and protect our nascent democracy, we must safeguard our existing state legislatures.
“Establishing parliamentary police will help protect legislative institutions and ensure that independence of the legislature is not undermined,” he said.
The Speaker expressed confidence that outstanding concerns would be addressed as the constitutional amendment process progressed.
The House subsequently adjourned plenary until Nov. 9, 2026.
The Lagos Assembly ‘s position comes as the push for state police has crossed its most critical constitutional hurdle.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, had on Friday announced that 24 State Houses of Assembly had approved the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026.
According to him, the approval meets the two-thirds threshold 24 of 36 states, required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution for alteration.
The Working Group chairman commended the state assemblies and the National Assembly for passing the amendment in both chambers.
The 24 states are Adamawa, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Zamfara, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Ekiti, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Abia, Yobe and Kaduna.
With Lagos unanimous vote on Tuesday, the figure has now risen to 25, leaving 11 states yet to formally communicate their positions.
The National Assembly transmitted the bill to the states on Sept. 16 with a 30-day administrative window.
The proposed amendment provides constitutional backing for a dual policing system comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.
The draft National Policing Bill, 2026 and 29 consequential bills that will detail the operational framework are currently undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The chief of staff said the validated drafts are expected to be returned on or before Friday for final consideration before presentation to President Tinubu. (NAN)
