The National Assembly has transmitted the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration and concurrence.
The move follows the passage of the executive-sponsored bill by both the Senate and House of Representatives before the lawmakers proceeded on vacation. At least 24 state Assemblies must approve the measure for the constitutional amendment process to advance.
The Constitution requires constitutional alteration bills to receive approval from at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly after passage by the National Assembly. The state police proposal seeks to amend the Constitution to provide for the establishment of state police.
Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the bill was transmitted to the state Assemblies on Wednesday, September 16, in line with a directive from the National Assembly leadership and Section 9 of the Constitution.
Ogunlana said the Constitution does not specify a deadline for state Assemblies to communicate their decisions. However, the National Assembly leadership has asked them to consider the bill and transmit their resolutions within 30 days of receiving it.
He clarified that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe rather than a constitutional deadline. The National Assembly, he added, would respect the independence of the state legislatures while expecting them to follow their respective legislative procedures.
According to the statement, the National Assembly will take the necessary constitutional steps after receiving the resolutions of the state Assemblies. It said the process would be conducted in accordance with constitutional requirements, due process and cooperation among the different levels of the legislature.
