Reps begin clause-by-clause review of Tinubu’s state police bill

The House of Representatives has commenced clause-by-clause consideration of President Bola Tinubu’s executive bill seeking to establish state police, with lawmakers indicating that they may adopt the version already passed by the Senate, subject to minor adjustments.

Speaking at a meeting of the House Committee on Constitution Review on Monday, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the committee, Benjamin Kalu, said the House would build on the work already done by the Senate to fast-track the passage of the constitutional amendment.

Kalu recalled that the House had earlier passed its own Constitution Alteration Bill on state police on June 11, before proceeding on recess.

However, the House rescinded the decision on July 14 following the transmission of the executive bill by President Tinubu, allowing lawmakers to consider the proposal initiated by the President.

He said the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, was well positioned to initiate comprehensive security reforms to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

According to Kalu, the executive bill has passed first and second readings in the House, while extensive stakeholder consultations during the National Assembly Open Week fulfilled the public hearing requirement for the legislation.

“The bill has been referred to this committee, and the committee is not just the deputy speaker and the deputy chairman. The committee is you and I. Our responsibility is to carefully scrutinise this legislation and ensure that it reflects the aspirations and expectations of the Nigerian people,” he said.

Kalu described the proposed state police legislation as one of Tinubu’s major constitutional reform initiatives, noting that the President had advocated a multi-layered policing system since his time as governor of Lagos State.

“As governor of Lagos State, he was among the earliest advocates of multi-layered policing as a strategic solution to Nigeria’s security challenges. Today, as President, he is championing the same cause, demonstrating consistency between his convictions and his actions,” he said.

The deputy speaker stressed that although the executive, legislature and judiciary are separate arms of government, they remain united in pursuing national priorities, particularly efforts to improve security.

He said lawmakers had convened on Monday, outside the House’s usual Tuesday sitting schedule, because of the urgency attached to the bill.

“We are here today not because it is convenient for us. Our parliamentary week ordinarily begins on Tuesday but duty calls, and time is of the essence. We are joining hands with the executive to ensure that this collaborative effort results in the successful passage of this priority constitutional amendment,” Kalu said.

He also disclosed that both chambers of the National Assembly were working together to harmonise their efforts and accelerate the constitutional amendment process.

Kalu expressed confidence that the bill would receive presidential assent once it is transmitted to the President.

Explaining the committee’s assignment, he said members would use the Senate-approved version of the executive bill as the working document for the clause-by-clause consideration.

“The purpose of today’s meeting is to consider the executive bill clause by clause and make appropriate recommendations to the House. We must note that the Senate has already considered and adopted the bill with certain amendments, and copies of that version have been circulated to members. This document will serve as our working draft throughout this exercise,” he said.

According to Kalu, the executive bill is substantially similar to the version previously considered by the House, with only a few modifications.

He said the additions include provisions introducing Section 31 on interpretation, as well as transitional and saving clauses to facilitate the implementation of the proposed state police framework and other consequential amendments.

He added that the Senate had made about eight minor amendments, which the House committee would review and adopt where appropriate.

“As we proceed with this amendment process, we shall take into consideration the work already done by the Senate and adopt it where applicable,” he said.

The consideration of the executive state police bill marks another step in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, as lawmakers move towards establishing a constitutionally backed multi-tier policing system aimed at strengthening internal security across the country.