State police: Federal force can intervene over electoral intimidation — Senate
The Senate on Sunday said the proposed State Police Bill contains constitutional safeguards that would allow the Nigeria Police Force to intervene in cases of electoral intimidation, gross human rights violations and threats to national security, dismissing concerns that governors could abuse the proposed policing structure for political purposes.
The upper chamber also defended the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, revealing that 84 of the 109 senators voted in support of the legislation during its clause-by-clause consideration, describing the outcome as evidence of broad bipartisan backing.
The clarification comes amid growing debate over the proposed decentralisation of policing. While supporters argue that state police would strengthen grassroots security and improve local intelligence gathering, critics fear governors could deploy the outfit to intimidate political opponents, especially during elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday through his media office, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the proposed constitutional amendment clearly defines the responsibilities of the federal and state police to prevent operational conflicts and enhance security coordination across the country.
According to Bamidele, the Nigeria Police Force will continue to protect federal institutions, police the Federal Capital Territory, combat terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, border security, arms trafficking and other interstate and national security offences. State police, he said, would be responsible for enforcing state laws, maintaining public order and protecting lives and property within their respective states.
He said the bill also contains robust safeguards to prevent governors from abusing state police powers. Although governors may nominate commissioners of police, Bamidele explained that such appointments would require recommendations from the National Police Council and approval by a two-thirds majority of the relevant State House of Assembly.
The Senate Leader added that the National Police Council would oversee policy, funding and appointments, while an independent State Police Service Commission would regulate state police operations without the control or approval of state governors.
Explaining the circumstances under which the federal police may intervene, Bamidele said such powers would only be exercised in exceptional cases, including a breakdown of public order, the inability of a state police service to function effectively, serious violations of fundamental human rights, cases of partisan or electoral intimidation, and situations where national security is under significant threat.
He said, “The intervention can only be granted when there is an outright breakdown of public order; where a state police service is incapable of functioning; where there are serious abuses of fundamental rights; where there is partisan or electoral intimidation; and when national security is heavily strained and threatened.
“To prevent abuse, the bill establishes the State Police Service Commission as an independent regulatory authority. Without the approval or control of the governor, the commission will have the power to regulate its procedures and discharge its constitutional responsibilities.”
Bamidele also dismissed claims that the proposal was politically motivated, noting that the state police initiative emerged from extensive consultations with the Presidency, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
He added that public hearings conducted across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025 attracted overwhelming support for the establishment of state police, while the bill enjoyed strong bipartisan backing in the National Assembly, with 84 senators voting in favour during its consideration.
According to him, the constitutional amendment is designed to strengthen accountability, improve national security and ensure that the creation of state police does not undermine democratic governance or citizens’ fundamental rights.