24 states approve constitutional amendment for state police

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill says 24 State Houses of Assembly have approved the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, providing for a dual policing system.

The approval meets the constitutional threshold of two-thirds of the 36 states required for the amendment to proceed.

The Working Group commended the State Houses of Assembly for their action and acknowledged the National Assembly for passing the amendment in both chambers.

The Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Working Group, Femi Gbajabiamila, issued on Friday, October 23, 2026.

“In line with Section 9 of the Constitution, the amendment can now be returned to the National Assembly for transmission to Mr President for assent,” Gbajabiamila stated.

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Gbajabiamila said the approval provided constitutional backing for the policing framework outlined in the Working Group’s draft National Policing Bill, 2026.

He added that the draft bills were undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The bills are expected to be returned on or before October 30, after which the Working Group will give them final consideration before presenting them to President Bola Tinubu.

The Working Group urged stakeholders to support a smooth transition to a dual policing system aimed at improving public safety.