Why We Haven’t Acted On Police Bill – State Assemblies

By FELIX IGBEKOYI, Abdullahi Olesin, Longtong Yakubu, Angela Nkwo-Akpolu, AZA MSUE, NICHOLAS DEKERA, ACHOR ABIMAJE, Muh’d Zangina Kura, ABU NMODU, Alo Abiola, IBRAHIM OBANSA, Nnamdi Mbawike, NONYE EKWENUGO, KABIR WURMA, Francis Okoye, EMMANUEL MGBEAHURIKE

Many  State Assemblies have explained why they have yet to endorse the State Police Bill transmitted to them by the National Assembly.

The National Assembly transmitted the State Police Bill on 16 September 2026, and since then, only four states have passed it into law.

The only states that have so far given their concurrence to the state police bill are Edo, Osun, Oyo, and Rivers.

But speaking on the delay, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly (DSHA), who is the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Hon Dennis Guwor, said they wanted to ensure thorough consultation.

He said the states had received the police bill and that  the due legislative process was being followed.

Guwor disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent, assuring that in the case of the  Delta House of Assembly, its  position would be made public after due consultation with key stakeholders.

According to him, the interest of Deltans remains uppermost in the Assembly, hence the need for due diligence.

In Kwara, it was difficult to obtain information on why the Kwara State House of Assembly has not passed the Police Bill.

All efforts to get the reactions of both the clerk of the House, Alh AbdulKareem Olayiwola Ahmed and the House leader, Hon. AbdulKadir Oba Magaji were futile.

The two officials neither picked up calls put through to their phone lines nor replied to WhatsApp messages sent to them as of the time of filing this report.

An official of the House who pleaded anonymity, however, said: “Until we resume, before I can say a word on it, sir.” He said the House will reconvene on Tuesday.

In Kano, the State House of Assembly has commenced consideration of the State Police Bill and is expected to begin second reading of the proposed legislation on 12 October 2026.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Kamaluddeen Shawai, disclosed this in response to an inquiry about the status of the bill, explaining that copies had been circulated to all members for detailed study, analysis, and possible input before further legislative action.

Shawai said the bill had already been read during a recent plenary, adding that lawmakers were currently reviewing its provisions as part of the legislative process. He said there was no major setback to its consideration, as members were expected to complete their individual reviews before the bill would be brought forward for second reading.

According to him, the Speaker, Jibril Isma’il, said the state was committed to confronting security challenges through proactive legislation, maintaining that, although Kano remained relatively peaceful compared to some states, strengthening the state’s security architecture was necessary to sustain peace and address emerging security threats.

Clerk of the Imo State House of Assembly, Mrs Chinelo Emeghara, said the lawmakers had been on recess but have resumed and will discuss it.

Emeghara said “we received it a day before the lawmakers went on recess but the they had to go on break.

“The members just resumed and we will slate it for hearing. Once the house reconvenes, we’ll definitely discuss it. It will be slated this week for them”, the Clerk said.

The lawyer dismissed any fears of challenges and assured that once the lawmakers resumed sitting, the bill would be slated and discussed.

In Benue, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga said the Police bill is before the House.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP, on Sunday, the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Zape Michael Upaa, said members of the House will deliberate on the bill in the next sitting, “The Benue State House of Assembly received the police bill and the members will deliberate on the bill in the next sitting”

“It will be deliberated on when the House sits in the next adjourned date” Upaa said.

In Zamfara, the proposed constitutional amendment to establish State Police has yet to receive approval, almost three weeks after it was transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly by the National Assembly.

LEADERSHIP checks show that the Zamfara State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, confirmed receipt of the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, on 23 September 2026.

However, as of 4 October 2026, the Assembly has yet to deliberate or vote on the bill. On the national tracker, the state is listed as “Received; no approval.”

Speaking in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP on Sunday evening, the member representing Maru II Constituency, Hon. Salisu Faru, confirmed that no deliberation has taken place on the bill so far.

According to him, the House is still consulting relevant stakeholders for proper engagement before taking a position.

The Director of Legislative Matters, Yusuf Sabo Tsafe, however, expressed optimism that the bill will be passed soon, describing it as a critical tool to fight banditry in the state.

The delay is not peculiar to Zamfara. Findings show that several states in the North, including Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kano, are all still in the “received but no decision” stage.

Nationally, only four states – Edo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers – have so far approved the bill. The amendment requires the approval of at least 24 State Houses of Assembly, representing a two-thirds majority, to become law.

Zamfara is one of the states worst hit by banditry, making the bill crucial to its security architecture.

Governor Dauda Lawal has been a vocal supporter of state policing. Speaking at a security town hall recently, Lawal said governors remain ceremonial Chief Security Officers because Commissioners of Police take directives from Abuja.

“State Police will allow us to recruit people who know the terrain, speak the language and can gather intelligence in every LGA,” he said.

The National Assembly had set 16 October 2026, as an administrative target for states to return their resolutions, although the timeline is not constitutionally binding.

The Zamfara Assembly is expected to commence full deliberation on the bill when it resumes next week.

In Plateau, the Assembly has said it has commenced consideration of the state police bill.

The Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr Philip Eplong, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Jos.

According to Eplong, the resolution followed a Notice of Motion sponsored by Dickson Chollom and seconded by Abel Nansak, member representing Langtang North-North Constituency, which was adopted during the plenary

He added that the assembly had also commenced consideration of a Bill seeking to alter the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and related matters

In Jigawa, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Honourable Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin confirmed that they had received the police bill but had yet to present it to the House.

He explained that the bill to create state police is a critical issue that requires consultation and careful review before it is passed.

Hon. Dangyatin noted that the Jigawa State House of Assembly will look at it and do all the necessary assessments to ensure the efficiency of the institution.

“We are very determined to support any bill, programme, policy, or project that can enhance the guarantee of security of life and property for our people, and we are optimistic that this bill is intended to help in repositioning our internal security architecture.”

“So we will not be hesitant to pass the bill as soon as we diligently assess it in accordance with our constitutional jurisdiction,” Dangyatin declared.

In Niger State, it is unclear whether the State House of Assembly has received the State Police Bill, as it has not been introduced in the House plenary.

Findings revealed that the bill has yet to be mentioned in the state house of assembly, and none of the members confirmed knowledge of its receipt.

While a source hinted that the member may be dragging their feet on the passage of the bill, it was learnt that they may eventually mention it at plenary for passage if the executive mounts pressure.

When contacted, the Head of the Information Department of the house, Ruqaya Tanko, said she could not speak on such a sensitive legislative matter but would get back when she is mandated with the necessary information.

The Ekiti State House of Assembly has already received the bill transmitted by the National Assembly seeking constitutional amendments to pave the way for the establishment of State Police Services nationwide.

The Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, stated that the Ekiti Assembly was prepared to commence the necessary legislative processes towards considering the bill and that the lawmakers would accord it the required attention.

The bill, according to Aribasoye, would first undergo the necessary administrative processes before being listed by the House Rules and Business Committee for legislative consideration.

He said hopefully, the administrative work will be concluded this week, and the Rules and Business Committee will list it for a scheduled date for consideration.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Peter Uwa, submitted that the Imo State House of Assembly has just resumed plenary.

According to him, the Police Bill occupies a central position in national affairs.

He stressed that the House of Assembly, under the leadership of Hon. Chike Olemgbe, will give the bill the urgent attention it deserves.

“This is a matter of urgent national interest and will be attended to expeditiously”

In Kogi, the State House of Assembly has not commenced deliberation on the state police bill transmitted to it by the National Assembly, but the state acknowledges receipt of the document.

Speaking on the development, the Deputy Clerk, Administration, Bayo Aka, who noted that the house was in receipt of the bill, however, said the matter could come up for consideration when the Assembly resumes from its adjournment on October 6, 2026.

Speaking on the development, the Renaissance Care and Empowerment Foundation (RECEF) called on the Assembly to ensure transparency, public participation and broad consultation in its consideration of the bill.

RECEF,  Executive Director, Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina, specifically urged the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf and members of the 8th Assembly are to engage constituents and stakeholders before taking any decision on the proposed constitutional amendment.

In Kaduna, the State House of Assembly has yet to pass the Police Bill, as it is still under legislative review.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon Henry Marah, disclosed this while speaking to our correspondent on the status of the bill.

Marah said the bill was still under review as part of the legislative process, adding that the outcome of the review would be made public soon.

He, however, said the Assembly would communicate its decision to the public after concluding the legislative study.

The Police Bill, transmitted to state Houses of Assembly by the National Assembly for consideration and passage, is currently undergoing scrutiny at the Kebbi State House of Assembly.

Sources within the Assembly confirmed that the bill had been received but said lawmakers would need to deliberate on its provisions and seek public opinion before considering its passage.

The source said the bill was currently under review in the House, adding that broader consultations with stakeholders and members of the public would be necessary before a decision is taken.

According to the source, the House would consider passing the bill only after it had undergone thorough scrutiny and broad consultation to ensure it enjoyed wider acceptance.

In Borno State, the Clerk of the Assembly, Shettima Garba, has clarified that the Police State Bill is currently at the reading stage before the Assembly.

He explained that the bill is still undergoing legislative processes and has not been passed into law.

“The bill is still at the reading stage. It has not been passed. Members are still deliberating on it and will subject it to all necessary legislative scrutiny, including public hearing where necessary,” the Clerk said.