A historic step: The Nigerian Senate approves the State Police Bill.

Written by: Ayman Ragab

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday approved a constitutional amendment to create state police forces, a historic legislative step that represents significant progress in the years-long debate over decentralizing the police force to address the country's deteriorating security situation.

The project was approved after discussing its articles item by item, and obtaining the support of more than two-thirds of the council members through a manual vote inside the hall, after abandoning the electronic voting system due to technical problems.

Senate President Godswell Akpabio announced the adoption of the bill after a majority of Senate members voted in favor of it, following the presentation of the report by the Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by the Senate Vice-President, Barao Jeberin.

Establish a police force in each state

The project stipulates the creation of a police force in each state that will operate in parallel with the federal police, ending the federal government's monopoly on managing the police system.

Under the amendment, state governors have the right to appoint police commissioners in their states, subject to the approval of local legislative councils, while the Inspector General of Police remains responsible for leading the federal police force.

The bill also gives state governors the authority to issue written directives to police commissioners regarding general policies related to maintaining security and public order within their states.

To reduce concerns about abuse by state police, the bill included provisions prohibiting the use of police forces against individuals, parties, or groups for criticizing the government, except in accordance with the law and due legal process, in a move aimed at protecting political and civil liberties.

Manual voting adopted

The Senate had decided before the vote to abandon the use of the electronic system and adopt manual voting to ensure the participation of all members and that the process would not be affected by technical malfunctions. This proposal was put forward by the majority leader, Obeyemi Pamedili, and supported by the Speaker of the House, who stressed that open voting enhances transparency and allows citizens to know the positions of their representatives.

The session was attended by a number of senior officials, including Kaduna State Governor Oba Sani, Ogun State Governor Dabo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Laki Ayedatua, and Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The approval of the State Police Bill is one of the most prominent constitutional reforms approved by the tenth parliament, but it still needs to complete the constitutional procedures, most importantly the approval of the state councils, before it enters into force.

Supporters of the project assert that the creation of state police forces will contribute to improving the response to local security threats and confronting the rise in acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and community clashes, while its opponents warn of the possibility of its political exploitation by state governors against rivals and opponents.