State Police: Senate Details Measures To Stop Governors’ Excesses

State Police: Senate Details Measures To Stop Governors’ Excesses
Lawmakers introduced safeguards against political abuse by governors.
Federal intervention will require presidential approval and oversight.

The Senate has outlined a series of safeguards aimed at preventing governors from abusing state police powers following the passage of constitutional amendments seeking to establish decentralised policing across Nigeria.

The measures were disclosed on Wednesday by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during debate on the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the bill was passed after clause by clause consideration and a manual voting process, with more than two thirds of senators supporting the proposal.

However, the legislation must still secure approval from the House of Representatives, receive endorsement from state Houses of Assembly and obtain presidential assent before it can become law.

Speaking during the debate, Bamidele said the proposed framework was carefully designed to prevent state police from being used for “partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional, or personal purposes.”

According to him, state police would be responsible for enforcing state laws, maintaining public order, preventing and detecting crimes within their jurisdictions, and protecting lives and property.

He explained that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to handle matters involving federal institutions, counter terrorism operations, organised crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking and crimes that cut across state boundaries.

Bamidele further stated that federal police intervention in any state would only be permitted under clearly defined circumstances, including a breakdown of public order, serious violations of fundamental rights, electoral intimidation, failure of state police operations or threats to national security.

He added that such intervention must be authorised in writing by the President and would be limited in both scope and duration. The process, he said, would also be subject to Senate oversight and judicial review.

“The bill provides robust safeguards against abuse, preserves federal authority where necessary, protects constitutional rights, and creates a modern policing framework capable of addressing contemporary security challenges,” Bamidele stated.

Several lawmakers threw their weight behind the proposal during the debate.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said he previously opposed the creation of state police but had changed his position due to the worsening security situation across the country.

Former Sokoto State Governor and Senator Aminu Tambuwal also supported the bill, arguing that it would strengthen security architecture at the subnational level.

State Police Stop Governors’ Excesses — State Police: Senate Details Measures To Stop Governors’ Excesses

Similarly, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno backed the proposal, expressing confidence that state police would improve security management and enhance law enforcement efforts nationwide.