The Senate has mounted a robust defence of the controversial State Police Bill, insisting that the proposed constitutional amendment is a response to Nigeria’s worsening security crisis and not a product of partisan calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the legislation was born out of extensive national consultations and overwhelming public demand for a more effective security architecture capable of addressing threats at the grassroots level.
Describing the initiative as “a child of necessity” rather than political expediency, Bamidele argued that the creation of state police has become imperative in the face of persistent insecurity across many parts of the country.
“The proposal is a product of national consensus, not cynicism,” he said, stressing that the National Assembly would not allow legitimate concerns over political ambitions to derail reforms considered crucial to national security.
His remarks come amid intense public debate over the implications of decentralising policing powers, with critics warning that state-controlled police formations could be weaponised by governors against political opponents. However, supporters contend that the current centrally controlled policing structure has proved inadequate in responding swiftly to local security challenges.
Bamidele disclosed that the journey towards state policing did not begin recently but evolved through years of constitutional review efforts, memoranda submissions, stakeholder engagements and nationwide consultations.
According to him, the National Assembly consulted widely with the Executive arm of government, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, the Nigeria Police Force and other critical stakeholders before arriving at its decision.
He revealed that public hearings held across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025 recorded overwhelming support for the proposal, reflecting what he described as a growing national consensus on the need to strengthen security governance at the subnational level.
The Senate Leader also highlighted the role played by the Nigeria Police Force in shaping the legislation, particularly in recommending safeguards, accountability measures and oversight mechanisms designed to prevent abuse of state police structures by political office holders.
“The support of the Nigeria Police underscores the strategic importance of this reform in confronting security challenges at both state and community levels,” he stated.
Bamidele further noted that the bill enjoyed bipartisan support during legislative consideration, dismissing claims that it was being driven solely by the ruling party.
While the All Progressives Congress (APC) commands a majority in the National Assembly, he said lawmakers from opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party and National Democratic Coalition (NDC), also voted in favour of the measure.
He disclosed that 84 of the 109 senators supported the bill during clause-by-clause voting, representing 77.06 per cent approval in the upper chamber.
The Senate Leader maintained that security should remain above partisan politics, arguing that nations confronting serious security threats often set aside political differences in pursuit of collective safety.
He challenged opposition parties to contribute practical alternatives and constructive ideas capable of improving national security rather than opposing reforms solely on political grounds.
The State Police Bill is one of the most far-reaching constitutional reforms currently before the National Assembly and is expected to continue generating debate as it progresses through the constitutional amendment process.