The Rivers State House of Assembly has voted in support of the constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police, joining the ongoing nationwide process to reshape Nigeria’s security architecture.
The resolution was adopted on Monday during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, following the consideration of the Constitutional Amendment Bill transmitted to the House by the National Assembly.
During the session, Amaewhule read the cover letter from the Clerk of the National Assembly and presented the accompanying bill containing the proposed constitutional alterations required for the creation of state police.
After reading the relevant sections slated for amendment, the Speaker put the proposal to a vote, with members unanimously endorsing the bill.
Amaewhule said the House’s decision was informed by the need to strengthen the country’s security framework and support ongoing security reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The speaker explained that the bill contained 26 clauses, with 25 alterations involving substitutions to sections of the principal Act.
He listed Sections 84(4), 89(2), 121(3) 124(4), 109(2), 153(1), 157(2), 158(1) and 160 among the provisions for alteration.
He further directed that the votes and proceedings of the House on the state police amendment be adopted as an official working document. “These votes and proceedings are hereby adopted as a working document of this House,” the Speaker declared.
Amaewhule also said that the bill was expected to create a constitutional pathway for state police services, subject to the provisions of the constitution.
He said that when passed, the amendment would strengthen the National Assembly’s role in prescribing national minimum policing standards.
The Assembly is expected to formally communicate its resolution to the National Assembly through an official letter as part of the constitutional amendment process, which requires approval by state legislatures across the federation before the proposed alteration can proceed.