The Senate introduced protections against political abuse of state police powers

As the Senate advances constitutional reforms to create state police services across Nigeria, lawmakers have taken action to allay concerns that governors could use the new security structure to intimidate opponents or pursue personal political interests.

Leading the debate on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (State Police) Amendment Bill, 2026, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele outlined a series of constitutional safeguards designed to ensure accountability, protect the rights of citizens and prevent abuse of power under the proposed decentralized policing framework.

The bill gained Senate approval on Wednesday after an extensive clause-by-clause review and a successful vote in which more than two-thirds of senators supported the proposal through a manual voting process. The legislation still has to pass through the House of Representatives, receive presidential approval and gain approval from a majority of state Houses of Representatives before becoming part of the Constitution.

Explaining the intent behind the proposal, Bamidele said the constitutional amendments, presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, were carefully designed to create an effective state policing system without undermining national unity or constitutional safeguards.

According to a statement issued by his office entitled *“Senate Adopts Measures to Prevent Abuse of State Police by Governors,”* the proposed arrangement aims to ensure that governors cannot manipulate state police institutions for political or group interests.

The statement read in part, “The bill is intended to retain the Nigerian Police for federal policing duties while providing for the establishment of state police services in states that choose to adopt it.”

Providing further insight into the proposed structure, Bamidele explained that the state police formation would clearly define responsibilities limited to matters within their jurisdiction.

“Bamidele further outlined the details of the proposed decentralized police structure, stating that the state police would only be responsible for enforcing state laws, maintaining public safety and order, preventing and detecting crime within their jurisdiction, protecting lives and property, and carrying out other local policing responsibilities.

“Regarding the responsibilities of the federal police, Bamidele noted that the federal police will be tasked with protecting federal institutions, counter-terrorism, organized crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking, interstate criminal activities and other national security issues.”

Also read: Historic security reforms in the Senate as lawmakers approve state policing framework

Senate leadership stressed that the proposed framework maintains the federal police’s central role in addressing national security threats while allowing states to address local law enforcement challenges more effectively.

He also explained that federal authorities would retain the authority to intervene in state police operations under strictly defined circumstances.

According to him, “the federal police’s intervention powers can only be activated when there is a total disruption of public order in a particular subnational entity; when a state police force is incapable of functioning; when there are serious violations of fundamental rights; when there is a record of electoral intimidation; and when national security is under threat.”

To prevent arbitrary interference, Bamidele noted that any federal intervention would be subject to legal and constitutional scrutiny.

He added that “such interventions may only be undertaken after the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces authorize them in writing. Such interventions will be limited in scope and duration, subject to Senate oversight and open to judicial review.”

“This bill generally seeks to balance regional police autonomy with national cohesion, accountability with operational effectiveness, and federal oversight with state responsibility.

“This bill provides strong protections against abuse, preserves federal authority where necessary, protects constitutional rights, and creates a modern policing framework capable of addressing contemporary security challenges.”

The Senate’s position comes amid long-standing concerns from critics of state policy, who warn that governors could potentially exploit locally controlled police services to harass political opponents, suppress dissent or influence elections.

However, reform advocates argue that the proposed safeguards, coupled with ongoing legislative oversight, judicial review, and federal police powers, provide adequate protection against abuse while addressing security challenges facing communities across the country.

If the amendment successfully completes the remaining constitutional processes, Nigeria will for the first time implement a dual policing system where state police services function alongside the federal police, marking a major transformation in the country’s security architecture.