The Osun State House of Assembly has become the first state legislature to approve the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police in Nigeria.
The approval came on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following clarification by the National Assembly that only the State Police Services Bill had so far been transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly.
The clarification followed reports suggesting that the National Assembly had forwarded the entire package of proposed constitutional amendments to the state legislatures for consideration.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the National Assembly said the State Police Services Bill was the only constitutional alteration bill transmitted to the states so far.
Ogunlana recalled that the National Assembly had, on September 16, transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, titled: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police Services; and for Related Matters.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is only this particular Constitution Alteration Bill that has so far been transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly,” he said.
RELATED NEWS:
- Adeleke’s Ally Shot Dead in Osun Park Leadership Dispute
- Oyebamiji Finally Accepts Osun Governorship Election Result, Congratulates Adeleke
- Osun 2026: How Vote-Buying Could Shape the Governorship Election
- NASS Sends State Police Bill to 36 States for Approval
“It is, therefore, incorrect to suggest or create the impression that all the Constitution Alteration Bills before the National Assembly have been transmitted to the states.”
Why State Police Bill Was Prioritised
According to the National Assembly Clerk, the decision to prioritise the State Police Services Bill followed widespread public demands and concerns over insecurity and the effectiveness of policing in the country.
He explained that the remaining constitutional amendment bills would be transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly after they had been passed in identical form by both chambers of the National Assembly.
“The other Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bills before the National Assembly will be transmitted to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states of the federation upon their passage in identical form by both chambers of the National Assembly, in accordance with the constitutional amendment process,” the statement said.
Osun Lawmakers Back State Police
Following the transmission of the bill, the Osun Assembly considered the proposal during plenary and unanimously approved the constitutional amendment.
The Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, had earlier read a letter from the National Assembly requesting state Houses of Assembly to consider and approve the proposed amendment.
Egbedun said the amendment had been forwarded to the Assembly for consideration and approval as part of the constitutional amendment process.
Contributing to the debate, the lawmaker representing Ife South State Constituency, Lawrence Adeoti, and his Ede South counterpart, Taofeek Olayiwola, supported the proposal, saying the establishment of state police would strengthen security across the country.
Adewumi Adeyemi, representing Obokun State Constituency, and Jeremiah Awoyeye, representing Ife Central State Constituency, also described the proposal as timely.
The lawmakers argued that state police would strengthen security at the state and local government levels and improve the ability of states to respond to security challenges within their jurisdictions.
Following the debate, the Majority Leader, Babajide Kofoworola, representing Ede North State Constituency, moved a motion for the Assembly to approve the proposed amendment. The motion was seconded by Tajudeen Adeyemi, representing Ifelodun State Constituency.
The Assembly subsequently adopted the proposal unanimously.
Meanwhile, the House also dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the Osun State Park Management System Bill, 2026.
The committee considered proposed amendments and corrections to the bill and adopted them as part of the legislative process.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.