The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria has welcomed the passage of the State Police Bill for second reading in the Senate, describing the development as a major step toward strengthening security and deepening Nigeria’s federal system.
The Conference, chaired by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor said the Senate’s action marked a significant milestone in the ongoing constitutional amendment process and renewed national efforts to address insecurity through community-based policing.
In a statement on Thursday, Guwor said the Conference had long supported the establishment of state police, maintaining that policing rooted in local communities would improve response times and enhance the protection of lives and property.
According to him, the proposed legislation reflects the growing consensus that security challenges are best addressed by policing structures that understand the unique terrain, culture and security realities of individual states.
“We had earlier indicated our support for the proposed legislation because we believe that community-based policing, properly structured under law, will enhance safety and response time across our states. Security is local, and our people deserve a policing architecture that understands their terrain and challenges,” the statement said.
The Conference assured Nigerians that once the constitutional amendment reaches the State Houses of Assembly as required under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, lawmakers across the 36 states will subject the bill to thorough legislative scrutiny.
It pledged to engage critical stakeholders, organise public hearings where necessary and ensure that deliberations are guided by the national interest, democratic principles and the need to safeguard lives and property.
The Speakers also commended the Senate for advancing the bill and urged political leaders, civil society groups and citizens to sustain constructive engagement on the proposal with patriotism and factual contributions.
According to the Conference, achieving meaningful constitutional reforms requires collaboration among all arms and levels of government.
The body reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the National Assembly, the Executive, and other stakeholders to ensure that the constitutional amendment process strengthens governance, democracy, and security across the country.
