The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the Constitution Alteration Bill establishing state police, approving a framework that allows states to operate their own police services alongside the existing federal police system.
The bill was passed after more than two-thirds of senators voted in favour through a manual voting process following a clause-by-clause consideration of the proposed constitutional amendment.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the passage after lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the legislation, which was presented by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution.
The legislation empowers state governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by their state Houses of Assembly, while the federal police will continue to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police.
It also authorises governors to issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to state Commissioners of Police on matters relating to the maintenance of public safety and public order within their states.
The bill includes safeguards against political abuse, providing that a state Commissioner of Police shall not arrest, detain, investigate or deploy force against any person, political party or group solely for criticising the government except in accordance with the law.
The Senate adopted manual voting after abandoning plans to use an electronic voting system due to technical concerns affecting some voting devices.
Among those who witnessed the proceedings were Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The bill will now proceed to the next stage of the constitutional amendment process, requiring approval by at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly before it can become law.
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