Nigeria’s worsening security challenges have pushed the 10th National Assembly to place greater emphasis on constitutional amendments relating to the establishment of state police, with senators insisting the move reflects the country’s most pressing national concern rather than a neglect of other reform proposals.
Lawmakers say the ongoing constitutional review remains broad in scope, but security-related reforms require immediate legislative attention because of the increasing threats to lives and property across the country.
Security Concerns Drive Legislative Priority
Speaking on the issue, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele explained that insecurity has become one of the most urgent challenges confronting Nigerians, making it necessary for lawmakers to fast-track deliberations on state policing.
As the Deputy Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Bamidele noted that the growing public demand for state police could no longer be overlooked.
He stressed that the committee’s current focus is based on prevailing national realities, adding that constitutional reforms must respond to the country’s most immediate needs.
Why Other Constitutional Bills Are Waiting
Addressing concerns that several constitutional amendment proposals have been sidelined, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro clarified that the review process has been deliberately divided into phases.
According to Moro, lawmakers adopted the phased approach to avoid delaying urgent reforms while waiting for every amendment proposal to be completed.
Rather than handling all constitutional changes simultaneously, he explained that priority is currently being given to state police, while other amendment bills will move through the legislative process in subsequent stages.
In his words, the committee believes that tackling the security-related amendments first will allow other important constitutional reforms to follow without disrupting the legislative calendar.
Ndume Calls for Grassroots Policing
Senator Ali Ndume, who chairs the Senate Committee on Army, also threw his weight behind the proposal.
Beyond supporting state police, the Borno South lawmaker advocated for the establishment of local government police, arguing that security challenges are often most severe at the grassroots level.
He maintained that the Constitution should evolve whenever circumstances demand significant reforms, particularly when such changes have the potential to improve public safety.
Ndume further encouraged Nigerians to contribute practical ideas that could strengthen any future policing framework instead of limiting public discourse to criticism alone.
Senators Say National Interest Comes First
Also lending his voice to the debate, Senator Anthony Ani described the Assembly’s approach as both logical and necessary.
According to him, addressing the country’s most urgent constitutional challenge before considering other amendments represents a practical legislative strategy.
He expressed confidence that once deliberations on security-related reforms are concluded, lawmakers will continue work on the remaining constitutional proposals.
Several Major Constitutional Reforms Still Await Consideration
According to Gossip News Now reports that, senators insist numerous constitutional amendment bills remain active before the National Assembly despite the current attention being given to security.
Among the proposals still awaiting further legislative action are reforms covering:
- Independent candidacy during elections.
- Electronic transmission of election results.
- Diaspora voting rights.
- Faster determination of election petitions.
- Greater financial autonomy for local governments.
- Expanded constitutional responsibilities for traditional rulers.
- Stronger constitutional recognition of local governments as the third tier of government.
- A single five-year tenure for local government chairmen.
- Empowering INEC to conduct local government elections.
- Increased political representation and affirmative action for women, including reserved legislative seats and improved citizenship rights for Nigerian women married to foreigners.
Lawmakers insist these proposals remain part of the broader constitutional review agenda and have not been abandoned.
What the Senate Wants Nigerians to Understand
Senators argue that constitutional amendments should reflect the country’s most urgent priorities.
While governance reforms, electoral changes, gender inclusion and local government autonomy remain important policy objectives, they believe strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture deserves immediate legislative attention.
The lawmakers maintain that adopting a phased review process will allow the Assembly to make measurable progress on urgent issues while continuing work on other constitutional reforms.
Commentary and Analysis
The renewed push for state police highlights the increasing pressure on policymakers to find lasting solutions to Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
Supporters believe decentralising policing could improve intelligence gathering, community engagement and faster response to local security threats. However, the proposal has also generated debate over issues such as accountability, funding, operational independence and safeguards against political interference.
As discussions continue, the quality of public participation may influence how any eventual constitutional amendment is designed and implemented.
Key Takeaways
- Senators say worsening insecurity prompted the National Assembly to prioritise constitutional amendments on state police.
- Opeyemi Bamidele says current security realities make the proposal an urgent national priority.
- Abba Moro explains that constitutional amendments are being processed in phases rather than all at once.
- Ali Ndume supports both state police and local government police to improve grassroots security.
- Lawmakers insist several other constitutional amendment bills remain under consideration and will be addressed in due course.
Questions for Readers
- Do you believe creating state police would significantly improve security across Nigeria?
- Should the National Assembly complete security-related constitutional reforms before considering other amendment proposals?
- What safeguards should be included to ensure state or local government police operate professionally and without political interference?
We would love to hear your views. Share your thoughts in the comments section below, as your opinions and constructive contributions are valuable to the national conversation on constitutional reform and Nigeria’s security future.
