Ekiti Assembly approves new law for state police

The Ekiti State House of Assembly on Wednesday approved the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026. This bill will set up State Police Services in Nigeria.

The bill passed its second and third readings during a meeting, with all 21 members present supporting it. This showed that the Assembly is backing the new plan for decentralized policing.

After the passage, the Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, asked the Clerk of the House to send the document to the National Assembly. He also included the state legislature’s comments.

While talking about the bill, Mr. Aribasoye said the idea of State Police has been discussed in Nigeria for over twenty years. He noted that the Ekiti Assembly had a chance to share its stance on the matter.

The speaker highlighted the need for better and more responsive security. He said the problems with policing in Nigeria need real solutions that can address what citizens are worried about.

He pointed out that Nigerians often complain about slow responses to emergency calls, limited reach of police operations, and the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Mr. Aribasoye added that poor local policing in some areas has led to insecurity. This threatens jobs, disrupts education, lowers business confidence, and harms public trust.

He explained that a well-structured State Police system could improve accountability. This would bring police leadership and oversight closer to the people and their elected leaders, while still following constitutional rules.

He insisted that Nigeria cannot afford to waste time on security issues. He called State Police a practical need that should have happened long ago, not just a theoretical idea.

In its report on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, the Committee of the Whole House suggested that the Assembly agree with the proposed changes, but with an amendment to Section 317A(5).

The committee said it had looked at the bill closely and discussed the new plan for State Police Services.

The committee proposed adding the words “an Act of the National Assembly or a Law of the State House of Assembly, as applicable” after “this Constitution” in Section 317A(5).

This addition is meant to clearly show the legislative power of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. This would be within their constitutional rights to allow security arrangements.

The committee then recommended that the House agree to the bill, based on the suggestions made. These comments were to be sent to the National Assembly by the Clerk of the House.