N/Assembly Sends State Police Bill to 36 Assemblies, Gives 30-Day Administrative Timeline

N/Assembly Sends State Police Bill to 36 Assemblies, Gives 30-Day Administrative Timeline

By Our Reporter

The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of State Police Services to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval, with the state legislatures expected to communicate their resolutions within 30 days of receiving the proposed amendment.

The Bill was transmitted on Wednesday by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, who clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe and does not constitute a constitutional deadline for the State Houses of Assembly.

According to him, the National Assembly recognised the constitutional responsibility and independence of the State Houses of Assembly in considering proposed amendments to the Constitution, saying that the transmission was part of the constitutional process required to secure the approval of the state legislatures before the proposed amendment can be concluded.

The Clerk further stated that the transmission was part of the constitutional process required to secure the approval of the state legislatures before the proposed amendment can be concluded.

Under the Constitution, an amendment bill must be approved by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can proceed to the final stages of the constitutional alteration process.

Consequently, at least 24 State Houses of Assembly must approve the State Police Bill proposal to meet the constitutionally prescribed threshold at the state level.

The proposed establishment of State Police Services is part of broader efforts to strengthen policing and address security challenges across the country.

The Bill had earlier been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, paving the way for its transmission to the State Houses of Assembly for consideration.

The National Assembly will proceed with the next steps after receiving the resolutions of the State Assemblies, while reaffirming its commitment to due process, institutional cooperation and strict compliance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).