The House of Representatives has resolved to withdraw its earlier State Police Bill and adopt the executive bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, signaling a major shift in the National Assembly’s ongoing constitutional amendment process on one of Nigeria’s most consequential security reforms.
The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, announced the decision on Tuesday at the opening of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja, saying the Executive Bill was “more robust and more comprehensive” than the version previously passed by the Green Chamber.
The decision effectively halted plans to harmonise the House and Senate versions of the earlier proposal, with lawmakers now set to begin fresh legislative work on the President’s proposal.
Explaining the decision, Abbas said the executive proposal incorporated additional safeguards developed by a presidential committee chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila.
“The deeper lesson of Oyo is that a nation of this magnitude cannot be policed in perpetuity from a single command in Abuja. On this question, this House has already acted.
“In the course of the constitutional reform ably led by our deputy speaker, this House passed a State Police Bill and placed the matter squarely before the nation. Tomorrow’s roundtable carries that work forward, in the open and before you.
“I am, indeed, able to share a development that speaks to the seriousness with which this administration regards the safety of Nigerians.
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“His Excellency the President has now transmitted to the National Assembly an executive version of the state police bill, one that is more robust and more comprehensive than the version this House earlier passed.
“That bill is the product of a dedicated committee inaugurated by the President and chaired by a distinguished former Speaker of this House, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila,” he said.
Abbas pledged the readiness of lawmakers to consider the president’s proposals.
“The House will therefore recall the version it earlier passed, and accord the executive bill the expedited consideration that a matter of this urgency deserves,” he said.
The Speaker also dismissed concerns that the legislation was being hurried through the National Assembly without public input, assuring Nigerians that the bill would undergo full legislative scrutiny.
“To the thoughtful citizens and to the members who have observed that they are yet to see the draft bills and who fear that this matter is being settled beyond public view, I offer this reassurance: nothing here is concealed. The bill will pass through a public hearing and open scrutiny.
“And I give this assurance to every Nigerian: the framework will carry robust safeguards. A state must satisfy clear and demanding standards and safeguards before it may be entrusted with a police service.
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