25 Lawmakers Back Constitutional Alteration Seeking to Establish State Police Services
The Rivers State House of Assembly has unanimously approved the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to create a legal framework for state police in Nigeria.
The decision followed the transmission of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, by the National Assembly to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration.
The vote was taken during Monday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, with all 25 lawmakers present voting in favour.
Amaewhule said the proposed alteration would provide a constitutional pathway for establishing State Police Services while retaining the Federal Police Service as the default until a state service is lawfully established and certified operational.
He said the proposed framework also provides for national minimum policing standards, human rights protections, civilian control, independent police service commissions, firearms control and mechanisms for cooperation between federal and state authorities.
The Speaker said the proposed amendment would also allow for exceptional federal intervention where there is a breakdown, serious incapacity, national security threat or serious abuse within a state police service.
After the bill was read to the lawmakers, the Speaker announced the result as 25 votes in favour, with none against and no abstentions.
“By this voting, the 10th Assembly of Rivers State is fully in support of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, 2022,” Amaewhule declared.
He said the Assembly supported efforts to improve security and protect lives and property, adding that state-level policing could complement the Federal Police.
The bill was transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, on September 16, 2026, in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
Under the constitutional amendment process outlined by the Assembly, at least 24 of the 36 state Houses of Assembly must approve the alteration before it can proceed to the next stage.