The National Assembly has explained why it prioritised the transmission of the bill seeking to establish State Police Services to the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
According to the Assembly, the decision was prompted by widespread public demand and the need to address concerns about security and policing through an appropriate constitutional and legal framework.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, clarified that the State Police Bill is the only Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill so far transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly.
Ogunlana said other Constitution Alteration Bills currently before the National Assembly would be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly after they are passed in identical form by both chambers, in accordance with the constitutional amendment process.
The Senate, following the receipt of an Executive Bill from President Bola Tinubu on June 23, 2026, considered and passed the State Police Establishment Bill for third reading the following day.
The House of Representatives subsequently considered the same Executive Bill and passed it for third reading on July 23, 2026.
The transmission of the bill to the State Houses of Assembly marks the beginning of the next phase of the constitutional alteration process. The National Assembly said the move was undertaken pursuant to Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution and a directive from its leadership.
Under the constitutional amendment process, at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, representing 24 states, must approve the bill before it can proceed to the final stage and be transmitted to President Tinubu for assent.
The statement read in part:
“The National Assembly wishes to clarify recent reports and public perceptions regarding the transmission of one of the Constitution Alteration Bills to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation.
“On Wednesday, 16 September 2026, the National Assembly issued a press release informing the general public that 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,’ had been transmitted to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation for their consideration and approval.
“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. 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.
“The decision to accord priority to the Bill on the establishment of State Police Service is in response to widespread public demands and the need to address concerns relating to security and policing in the country through an appropriate constitutional and legal framework.
“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 National Assembly remains committed to ensuring that the ongoing Constitution Alteration process is conducted transparently, responsibly and in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Members of the public and the media are therefore encouraged to rely on official communications of the National Assembly for accurate information regarding the status and transmission of the various Constitution Alteration Bills.”
