State Police: 24 states approve the constitutional amendment

The Presidential Working Group on the National Police Bill says 24 state Houses of Assembly have passed the Constitution (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2026, which provides for a dual system of policing.

The approval meets the constitutional threshold of two-thirds of the 36 states needed for the amendment to proceed.

The Working Group commended the State Houses of Assembly for their action and recognized the National Assembly for passing the amendment in both Houses.

This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Working Group.

“In line with Article 9 of the Constitution, the amendment may now be referred to the National Assembly to be forwarded to Mr. President for assent.”

Gbajabiamila said the approval provided constitutional support to the policing framework outlined in the Working Group’s National Police Bill, 2026.

He added that the draft laws are under review and validation of the legislative draft at the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The bills are expected to be returned by October 30, after which the Working Group will give them final consideration before presenting them to President Bola Tinubu.

The working group urged stakeholders to support a gradual transition to a dual policing system aimed at improving public safety.