Lawmakers in Ogun State have formally endorsed the 2026 constitutional amendment bill paving the way for the creation of state police services across the country.
The resolution, titled “H.R. No. 194/OG/2025 Consideration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 (Establishment of State Police Services),” was passed following the presentation of a report by the Ad Hoc Committee on Constitutional Review, chaired by a former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo.
Oluomo presented the committee’s report covering 26 clauses and proposed amendments to various sections of the Constitution. He took the proposed amendments one after another, with members voting in favour of all the clauses and sections.
The lawmaker subsequently moved a motion for the adoption of the committee’s report.
The motion was seconded by Hon. Adegoke Adeyanju and supported by all members through a voice vote.
The House Leader, Hon. Yusuf Sherif, thereafter moved a motion for the adoption of the report as a resolution of the House. The motion was seconded by the Chief Whip, Hon. Omolola Bakare, and unanimously supported by the lawmakers through a voice vote.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elemide, noted that the Assembly had joined other state Houses of Assembly across the country in supporting the establishment of State Police, describing the decision as historic.
He added that the resolution reflected the position of the lawmakers and the people of Ogun State in support of State Police as a means of strengthening security through improved measures to protect lives and property, thereby promoting the social well-being and economic development of the state.
The Speaker subsequently directed that a clean copy of the resolution be transmitted to the National Assembly to formally communicate Ogun State’s support for the establishment of State Police Services.
What You Should Know
The Ogun State House of Assembly has officially thrown its weight behind the movement to create state police, aligning with ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution. A clean copy of this historic resolution will now be forwarded to the National Assembly to reflect the official stance of Ogun State lawmakers and citizens.
- Positive Impact: Decentralizing security is expected to improve local intelligence gathering, quicken response times to emergencies, and provide tailored policing that addresses the specific security challenges of communities in Ogun State.
- Potential Concerns: Critics and civil society groups often express worries about the potential misuse of state police forces by local political officeholders against opponents, as well as questions surrounding sustainable funding and federal oversight.
