Why State Police Bill was transmitted quickly to state assemblies – NASS

The National Assembly has explained that it gave priority to the transmission of a bill for the establishment of State Police Service to the State Houses of Assembly in response to widespread public demands and the need to address concerns relating to security and policing in the country through an appropriate constitutional and legal framework.

In a statement on Tuesday to clarify the transmission, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, assured that other Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bills before the National Assembly will be transmitted to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation upon their passage in identical form by both chambers of the National Assembly, in accordance with the constitutional amendment process.

Recall that the Senate, on the strength of the Executive Bill received from President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, expeditiously considered and passed the State Police Establishment Bill for third reading on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, while the House of Representatives later considered the same executive bill and it was read and passed for third reading on July 23, 2026.

The transmission marks the commencement of the next phase of the constitutional alteration process, just as it was carried out pursuant to Section 9 and a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly.

The 2/3 concurrence means that at least 24 out of the 36 State Houses of Assembly must concur with the Constitution Alteration Bill before final transmission to President Tinubu for presidential assent.

The statement read, “The National Assembly wishes to clarify recent reports and public perceptions regarding the transmission of one of the Constitution Alteration Bills to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation.

“On Wednesday, 16 September 2026, the National Assembly issued a press release informing the general public that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, titled:
“A Bil for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 10 Provide for the Establishment of State Police Services; and for Related Matters,” had been transmitted to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation for their consideration and approval.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is only this particular Constitution Alteration Bill that has so far been transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly. It is therefore incorrect to suggest or create the impression that all the Constitution Alteration Bills before the National Assembly have been
transmitted to the States.

“The decision to accord priority to the Bill on the establishment of State Police Service is in response to widespread public demands and the need to address concerns relating to security and policing in the country through an appropriate constitutional and legal framework.

“The other Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bills before the National Assembly will be transmitted to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation upon their passage in identical form by both Chambers of the National Assembly, in accordance with the constitutional amendment process.

“The National Assembly remains commited to ensuring that the ongoing Constitution Alteration
process is conducted transparently, responsibly and in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Members of the public and the media are therefore encouraged to rely on official communications
of the National Assembly for accurate information regarding the status and transmission of the
various Constitution Alteration Bills.”