Presidency excited as state police bill gets 24 states’ approval

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has expressed satisfaction that the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which provides for a dual policing system, has been approved by 24 State Houses of Assembly, meeting the constitutional threshold of two-thirds of the 36 states.

The Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed the development in a statement on Friday.

The Working Group commended “the State Houses of Assembly for their decisive action on this reform of national importance” and expressed appreciation to the National Assembly for passing the amendment in both chambers.

The statement noted that, in line with Section 9 of the Constitution, the amendment could now be returned to the National Assembly for transmission to the President for assent.

Gbajabiamila noted that the approval provides constitutional backing for the policing framework that the Working Group’s draft National Policing Bill, 2026, is designed to implement.

The Chief of Staff to the President assured Nigerians that the Working Group’s efforts remained on track.

“The draft Bills are currently undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice and are expected to be returned on or before Friday, 30 October 2026. Thereafter, the Group will give them final consideration before presenting them to Mr President.

“The Working Group urges all stakeholders to support a smooth transition to a dual policing system that makes Nigerians safer.”