Five more state assemblies have approved the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026. They are Ogun, Delta, Plateau, Kwara and Adamawa. They join Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers and Zamfara. That brings the total to ten. At least 24 of the 36 state assemblies must approve the bill. The amendment replaces the single Nigeria Police Force with Federal and State Police Services. Adamawa passed 24 of 26 clauses. It rejected two it considered poorly defined. Kebbi’s assembly is still deliberating.
The state police has been debated for decades. The 1999 Constitution places policing under federal control. In 2014, the National Conference recommended state police. In 2018, the APC panel on restructuring endorsed it. In 2023, the National Assembly rejected a constitutional amendment to allow it. Governors across parties have called for decentralisation. The argument is that federal police cannot understand local terrain. The counter is that governors will abuse state police for political ends.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has submitted the draft National Policing Bill, 2026 and 29 consequential amendment bills to the Ministry of Justice. The ministry is expected to return validated drafts by 30 October. The group will give final consideration before presenting them to President Tinubu. The Senate says it will wait for the executive’s formal transmission but aims to pass the legislation before the end of the year.
The process is moving. Ten states have approved. Fourteen more are needed. The bill has political momentum. The 2027 election is approaching. State police would change the security architecture. It would also create new risks. Governors would control armed forces. Opposition parties fear abuse.
Winners: State governors, who gain security powers. The Presidential Working Group, which advances the reform. The National Assembly, which gains a legacy issue. Communities, if local policing improves. Losers: The federal police, which loses its monopoly. Civil society, if safeguards are weak. Opposition parties in states, if governors weaponise state police. Taxpayers, if state police duplicate costs. Adamawa, which rejected two clauses.
Bottom Line: Ten states have approved. Fourteen more are needed. The bill is moving. The Senate wants it passed by December. State police is coming. The safeguards are not yet clear. That is the risk.