Support for the proposed state police has gathered momentum as speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, governors, the Labour Party and the Forum of APC Speakers backed the constitutional amendment passed by the Senate, raising hopes that the bill could secure the approvals needed to become law.

The endorsements came barely 24 hours after the Senate passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police across the federation, a major step in Nigeria’s decades-long effort to decentralize policing and tackle worsening insecurity.

The bill must now be approved by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

While many stakeholders described the proposal as a necessary response to growing cases of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, the People's Redemption Party (PRP) opposed the move, questioning the motives of the Tinubu administration and urging Nigerians to reject it.

Among the early supporters was Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, who commended the National Assembly for passing the bill. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, the governor praised lawmakers for advancing what he described as a landmark reform capable of transforming the country’s security framework.

According to him, "the passage of the bill is a courageous and timely step." He added that he has always been a strong advocate of state policing as a necessary measure to strengthen the nation’s security architecture and enhance the protection of lives and property.

The governor further said that The House of Representatives had passed the law a few weeks ago, and the concurrence by the Senate a few days ago has confirmed the genuine intentions of national assembly members to address the problem of insecurity in the country.

Alia further argued that state police formations would possess a better understanding of local terrain, cultures and community dynamics, thereby enabling faster and more effective responses to security threats.

He also commended President Tinubu for what he described as visionary leadership in advancing reforms that had remained trapped in national debate for years.

In Kano State, deliberations on the bill began almost immediately as the State House of Assembly convened a stakeholders’ meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to review the implications of the proposed amendment.

The Public Relations Officer of the Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, confirmed the meeting and added that the House would make its position known after consultations. The swift engagement in Kano reflected the urgency with which many states are approaching the proposed reform, given the security challenges confronting several regions of the country.

In Gombe State, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abubakar Luggerewo, said lawmakers would subject the bill to detailed scrutiny but disclosed that their preliminary assessment was positive. The Speaker explained that the Assembly would carefully evaluate the bill’s provisions and assess their implications for the state before taking a final position.

Despite the planned review process, he said lawmakers were generally favourably disposed to the proposal. In a nutshell, their general understanding of the bill is that it’s a welcome development because they are certain it will address the lingering security challenges that are happening in various locations.

In Akwa Ibom, Speaker Udeme Otong said lawmakers would first have to see the bill, work on it and see the areas that need some input. Then they can call a public hearing because the bill is for the public to make their inputs.

Bayelsa lawmakers also indicated support for the proposal. Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Brown Ebizi, said the Assembly was prepared to expedite consideration of the bill once transmitted.

In a statement signed by its Chairman and Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Dangyatin, the forum described the Senate’s action as a historic breakthrough and added that the legislation would empower states to protect their citizens more effectively.

Dangyatin assured Nigerians that APC-controlled legislatures would facilitate ratification and establish strong oversight mechanisms. He further pledged collaboration with state executives to ensure adequate funding for training, equipment and personnel welfare.

Similarly, the Labour Party endorsed the proposed reform and urged governors and state lawmakers across the federation to support it. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, the party described the Senate’s action as a major milestone in efforts to strengthen internal security.

He noted that for years, Nigerians across all regions have clamoured for a more effective and responsive policing architecture capable of addressing the growing and increasingly complex security challenges confronting the nation.

The LP acknowledged fears that governors could abuse state police formations but argued that constitutional safeguards incorporated into the bill would minimise such risks.

According to him, “The Labour Party is particularly encouraged by the constitutional safeguards embedded in the amendment bill, especially the provisions contained in section 17, which establish clear mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure accountability in the operation of state police.

The party subsequently called on governors and lawmakers nationwide to support the amendment.

“As the bill now awaits the concurrence of the State Houses of Assembly before being transmitted to the President for assent, the Labour Party calls on governors and state lawmakers across the 36 states of the federation to rise above partisan considerations and lend their support to this important constitutional reform in the overriding interest of national security and public safety.

“We believe that with proper oversight, transparency and adherence to constitutional provisions, state policing can become a vital instrument for combating crime, enhancing community security and strengthening the federation,” he stated.

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Also lending his voice, former lawmaker representing Ekiti North, Senator Ayodele Arise, described the bill as a critical step towards addressing insecurity.

The former lawmaker argued that local policing would improve intelligence gathering and enable quicker responses to threats.

He said, “Many of the objections are legitimate concerns, but most of the federal states we know around the world, like the United States and Canada, have this multi-layered policing system that has worked for them over the years.

The Plateau State House of Assembly also pledged support for the reform. Speaker Naanlong Daniel said the legislature was prepared to prioritize the bill when transmitted. He added that lawmakers had consistently advocated its establishment and assured stakeholders of the Assembly’s readiness to provide the required legislative backing.

In Ondo State, Speaker Olamide Oladiji similarly backed the proposal, describing it as a necessary response to Nigeria’s security challenges.

Oladiji dismissed fears that governors would weaponize state police against political opponents. “I want to disagree on that aspect. Look at our Amotekun here; it has been created for some time now. Did you hear any negative comments? There is no negative comment, even from the opposition, that the government of the day uses it against any of their political opponents, journalists or activists,” he said.

However, the PRP strongly criticized the initiative and urged Nigerians to reject it.

In a statement by its National Chairman, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the party questioned the credibility of the current administration to oversee such a major restructuring of policing.

The statement read, “The Peoples Redemption Party is deeply concerned over plans by President Tinubu’s administration to procure state police through constitutional amendment at a time when its credibility and competence are at an unprecedented low level in our democratic history.”

The PRP argued that while constitutional procedures might ultimately facilitate the amendment, the administration lacked the public trust required for such a far-reaching reform.

The party advised that the issue should be deferred until after the next general election. Despite the opposition, momentum appears to be building behind the amendment as state assemblies prepare to begin formal consideration of the proposal.

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