The Senate has assured Nigerians that the ongoing harmonisation of the State Police Bill will continue despite the National Assembly’s annual recess, insisting that committee activities remain active and will ensure the constitutional amendment progresses without unnecessary delays.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, gave the assurance while speaking on the legislative process surrounding the proposed state police framework.
According to him, although plenary sessions have been suspended until September 14, Senate and House of Representatives committees will continue to carry out legislative responsibilities, including work on the State Police Bill.
“Our recess does not stop harmonisation because the committees of both chambers remain operational.
While plenary is on break, committee work continues, and we still attend to legislative duties and oversight responsibilities,” Adaramodu said.
He explained that any urgent committee assignment would be handled during the recess, noting that only plenary sittings had been suspended.
The lawmaker disclosed that the harmonisation of the bill would be handled by the National Assembly’s Constitution Review Committee, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin.
“Since this is a constitutional amendment, it falls under the Constitution Review Committee headed by the Deputy Senate President,” he stated.
Adaramodu expressed confidence that the harmonisation process would be completed before lawmakers return from recess, describing the State Police Bill as a priority because of its importance to national security and widespread public support.
“The state police proposal is an urgent national issue. It has become a major public demand, so we cannot afford to delay it. That is why we have isolated it from other constitutional amendment bills to ensure it receives speedy attention,” he said.
He explained that processing the bill separately would prevent delays that could arise if it were considered alongside several other constitutional amendment proposals.
The Senate spokesman also said the National Assembly had already engaged state legislatures, whose approval is required before the constitutional amendment can take effect.
According to him, consultations have been held with Speakers of all 36 State Houses of Assembly, while governors have also indicated support for the proposal.
“We have met with the Speakers of all the state assemblies, and they have assured us that they will give the bill prompt consideration. The governors have also shown interest, so we expect the process to move seamlessly once it gets to the states,” he said.
Adaramodu expressed optimism that the legislative process would be concluded within the coming months.
“With the House of Representatives having completed its part, the committees will finalise the harmonisation before the bill is transmitted to the state assemblies. We are hopeful that the process will be substantially completed by September,” he added.
The Senate’s assurance comes shortly after the Presidency announced that President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the draft Executive National Policing Bill on September 3 as part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s policing system.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, had explained that the proposed Executive National Policing Bill is separate from the constitutional amendment establishing state police.
According to him, while the constitutional amendment provides the legal basis for state policing, the executive bill is intended to provide the operational framework for implementing the new policing structure if approved.
